§ Mr. ÖpikTo ask the Secretary of State for Health when he expects the expert group on cot deaths to publish its final report; what factors have led to the delay in publication; and if he will make a statement. [34501]
§ Mr. BoatengThe Expert Group on Cot Death Theories held its last meeting on 16 March 1998. The results from additional research commissioned by the group were not available until autumn 1997 and the time needed to fully assess this data was greater than expected. The group will report to the Chief Medical Officer in April and hopes to publish its report as soon as possible thereafter. Abstracts from the report will be available on the internet.