asked the Secretary of State for Social Services what were the results of the inquiry his Department has carried out regarding the establishment of ethical committees.

My Department's inquiry of hospital authorities about progress made in establishing ethical committees has shown that all teaching hospital authorities and over 70 per cent. of other hospital authorities have now established such committees. Overall about one-fifth of all committees include lay members. My Department will consider with the professional bodies concerned whether in the light of the results of the inquiry further guidance to hospital authorities on the subject of clinical investigation should be issued.