FOLIC ACID AND SPINA BIFIDA PREGNANCIES

Early day motion 395, tabled 9 November 2001 by Helen Clark (Labour). Signed by 38 members.

That this House regrets that, almost two years after the publication of the Report by the Committee on Medical Aspects of Food and Nutrition recommending the mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid, no progress has been made towards implementing this policy; recognises that this measure would reduce the incidence of spina bifida pregnancies by 41 per cent., and would be most effective in protecting the health of the most deprived mothers and children in the United Kingdom, which has amongst the highest rates of spina bifida pregnancies in the world; congratulates the Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus on its sustained campaign and regrets that for the past year Department of Health Ministers have made no replies to correspondence from ASBAH on this subject; notes that the Department's deadline for consultation responses was more than a year ago; and urges an early announcement of its intentions.

Signatures by party: Labour 27, Liberal Democrat 6, Conservative 2, UUP 2, Labour/Co-operative 1.