§ 25. Mr. David StewartTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what plans he has to introduce a confidential case inquiry into each incident of sudden unexpected infant death in Scotland. [84152]
§ Mr. MacdonaldI have no plans to do so. There is already a significant body of evidence relating to the epidemiology of sudden unexpected infant death. This is consistent with Health Departments' guidance and advice on reducing the risk of cot death. The Government will continue to support biomedical and health service research into this important topic, alongside the valuable work of voluntary agencies, such as the Scottish Cot Death Trust, to help find out how sudden unexpected infant death might be reduced further.
From 1 July 1999, this will be a matter for the Scottish Parliament.