Order. Questions to the Prime Minister?

Kelvin Hockin.

Number one, Mr. Speaker.

Thank you. Mr. Speaker. This morning I had meetings with ministerial colleagues and others.

In addition to my duties in this House, I will have further such meetings later today.

Kelvin Hopkins. Thousands of babies are born each year

damaged for life by alcohol consumed in pregnancy. Patients affected by alcohol put immense

pressure on the National Health Service and alcohol is a primary factor in domestic violence

and attacks on women. There's the Prime Minister recognised the seriousness of the country's

alcohol problems, the damage to lives and seriousness of the country's alcohol problems,

the damage to lives and billions of costs to the public purse, and will she instruct her

government to now address these problems effectively and as a matter of urgency?

Well, I can certainly say to the Honourable Gentleman that I recognise the problems that alcohol causes.

He particularly referenced not just problems for pregnant women, but also the issue that alcohol causes. He particularly referenced not just problems

for pregnant women, but also the issue around domestic violence and the part that alcohol

can often play on domestic violence and abuse. That's why I was Home Secretary, we produced

an alcohol strategy, we worked on this issue of alcohol and the government continues to

recognise the importance of this issue and to work on it.

Lawrence Robertson.

Okay, Mr. Speaker, will the Prime Minister join me in paying tribute to the NHS staff who provide us with such magnificent treatment day in and day out?

But will she also agree with me that people who miss NHS appointments without

counselling them cost the NHS a great deal of money and also take up slots which would

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