Health: Flour Fortification

Baroness Hayman Excerpts

Tuesday 21st January 2014 Lords Chamber

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, I recognise the issues raised by the noble Baroness. We will of course take those into account.

[Baroness Hayman (CB)]

My Lords, it is more than 20 years since the MRC study on this issue first had to be abandoned because it was considered inappropriate not to give folic acid supplements to the women who were involved. When the noble Earl reads the latest study, I suggest that he will find it “incontrovertible”, to use the word of the noble Lord, Lord Turnberg. The noble Earl said in December that the Government were looking at this issue urgently. Will they now look to act urgently?

[Earl Howe]

My Lords, I give the noble Baroness an assurance that we are treating this with suitable urgency. I cannot give her a date as to when a decision will be announced but it will be as soon as possible.