§ Sandra GidleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Health whether his Department makes a regular assessment of the fertility rate of young males. [81050]
§ Ms BlearsThe Department does not make a regular assessment of the fertility rate of young males.
The Department of Health, with the Department of the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, the Health and Safety Executive and the European Chemical Industry Council, is funding a programme of four epidemiological studies to investigate trends in male reproductive health, and the possible influences of occupational, environmental or other exposure to chemicals. Two of these studies will provide extensive information on semen quality in men in the United Kingdom. We expect the programme of studies to be completed by the end of this year and the results of the research will be published in due course.