To ask the Secretary of State for Social Services if he has received any recent representations regarding the side-effect of the drug Ativan; and if he will make a statement.

Since 31 March 1988, we have received some 16 letters from hon. Members or members of the public on this matter. Advice to doctors and pharmacists on the problem of dependence on benzodiazepines, of which Ativan is one, was issued by the Committee on Safety of Medicines in "Current Problems 21", a copy of which is in the Library.