asked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has received a copy of the Children's Committee publication, "The Reduction of Perinatal Mortality and Morbidity"; if he agrees with the conclusions of the committee; what action his Department intends to take towards the implementation of these conclusions; and if he will make a statement.

I have given careful consideration to this document and am looking forward to discussing the issues raised in it at the conference on the reduction of perinatal mortality and morbidity, which is being organised jointly by the Children's Committee and this Department on 7 December, to which representatives of health authorities, medical and nursing organisations and voluntary bodies have been invited.