The Guardian from London, Greater London, England • 5

THE GUARDIAN Thursday November 17 1994 HOME NEWS 5 Mattress sales halted after new link to chemicals Minister blocks hepatitis payouts irepdirtt odd coG Tim Radford Science Editor OOTS, the high street 'chain, yesterday suspended sales of all cot 'mattresses followinu new evidence linking cot deaths with fireproof chemicals. A leading nursery supplier yesterday withdrew 35,000 cot mattresses from its stock. Government health chiefs, who three years ago ruled out a link between the mattresses and the mysterious deaths of up to 400 infants every asked to examine the evidence and said that it "must be taken The new findings are to be revealed in ITVs The Cook Report, broadcast tonight. Cot death the sudden, mysterious death of an apparently healthy baby in its first months of life has been puzzling the medical profession for decades. It is more liable to strike boys than girls.

There is a peak of deaths in the winter months, and a peak in the statistics of babies aged between two and three months. Tonight's programme centres cOeatilh) on evidence that gases from some chemicals which are used to make mattresses fiame-retar-dant can emit poisonous fumes. Babies, especially if they sleep face down, could be especially at nsK. Roger Cook, the programme's presenter, said: VMy advice to parents is: Don't use a used mattress. Make sure when you have bought the mattress that it is from a supplier who does not use phosphorus or antimony.

If you already have a mattress, ring up the shop and ask them what's in it." Kenneth Caiman, the Government's chief medical officer, said the Government would look at the results of the study and consider seeking further advice from independent experts. Boots reacted swiftly. Company chiefs ordered the removal of all cot mattresses from its Children's World stores. A spokesman said: "We have not seen the research, but there is nothing more important than the safety of babies. While there is any doubt about the safety of products, we will not sell them." A leading supplier of nursery to declare allowances paid to him utter his election to the council in May 1992.

He is also accused of failing to declare his wiles part-time and then full-time employment as a secretary for Kent county council. Mr Gunstone. aged 41. who was elected leader of the Tory group in May, was interviewed under caution in August by an Employment Service inspector. In September, the Benefits Agency rided he should repay 21.353 "overpaid" in Income Support.

The service's prosecution unit is now deciding whether his case should be referred to Department of Social Security's solicitors. If they decide to proceed with the case, he could face charges of obtaining money by deception under either social security legislation or the Theft Act. what a dam age-limitation exercise by a government sensitive to any hint of sleaze, employment min- isier fwin wiaaecomoe. ine ivif for Maidstone, was alerted to Prrccb correct dl time ol goinu, to prebb. Tory group leader facing inquiry into benefit fraud milium ii mfmmammk i HI mm For 2,000 you can rent Wedderburn Castle for a week.

Rebuilt in the 18th century by the Adam brothers, the stately home in the Scottish Borders is being let by Georgina Home Robertson, below, whose ancestors fought at FloddenpHOioGRAPH. muroo mjcleod Tim Radford THE health minister, Gerry Malone, said yesterday that the Government would not pay compensation to sufferers who contracted hepatitis from contaminated blood or blood products unless negligence could be proved. "I think it would be a significant and unwelcome step if the Health Service were to move forward to a position of 'no fault' liability and we don't intend to do that." he said. The minister's announcement came despite the Department of Health's decision in 1991 to pay out 42 million to 1,200 haemophiliacs who contracted the Aids virus by the same route. However, the Haemophilia Society confirmed last night that it had no plans as yet to seek compensation.

The hepatitis virus was isolated only in 1989. It can lead to a chronic liver condition which may take many years to develop. At least 2.000 haemophiliacs could have been infected, and 12 who received blood products have died from the infection. The blood product usually given to haemophiliacs is a blood-clotting agent known as Factor VIII although some of these patients also needed transfusions of blood or its components. Around 3,000 who are not haemophiliacs but who received blood transfusions before a new screening process was adopted in 1991 may also be infected.

The Haemophilia Society said it had no plans "as yet" to press for compensation. Our priority is to ensure help and support for people who are unwell as a result of hepatitis said a spokesman. There are many types of hep atitis transmitted by viruses: which are little more than a slip of genetic material which hijacks the body's machinery and often lies latent. Healthy humans may be host to numbers of them. The National Blood Transfu sion Service already conducts four or five screening tests on up to 10.0110 samples a dav.

Nev ertheless the detection remains a challenge. Hepatitis before it was identified, only left its footprint in the form of its disease. It's like: does the yeti exist? Can you simply tell from the footprints?" said John Barbara. head of microbiology at the London Blood Transfu sion Service. 3 lets them Bank of 8 1 0YF (no stamp nooded) to recolve equipment has also withdrawn cot mattresses containing antimony, pending further examination of the problem.

Bavistock, which is based in Bow, east London, and supplies Bo Peep mattresses to independent baby shops and mail order firms, said it had withdrawn 35,000 mattresses from stock. Roger Bacon, managing director, said he had taken the decision to suspend sales after being shown some of the evidence unearthed by the Cook Report. -The TV team's findings received a cautious welcome by the Foundation for the Study of Infant Death in London. "It is not conclusive," said a spokesman. "We think there are a number of different factors which can affect a baby at a particularly vulnerable stage of development." The foundation's advice to parents is not to smoke during pregnancy, not to expose the uv fant to a smoky atmosphere, not to over-wrap it.

to put the baby to sleep on its back, and to consult a doctor if worried. These precautions have helped to reduce cot deaths by up to 50 per cent recent years. the case earlier this month after journalists began investigating. The Employment Service memo, marked was also copied to Michael Por-tillo, the Employment Secre tary, indicating the measure of concern about the allegations. Mr Gunstone, a councillor on and off since 1984.

said the charges that he had failed to declare allowances and changes in circumstances were "totally He added: "The Benefits Agency was told all about that. The information they gave me was that it didn't affect the payments of Income Support. Mr Gunstone. a father-of'-two who went on Income Support when his insurance firm went under, but who now works as a garage cashier, said he was wrongly advised to apply for Income Support when he was entitled He said last night he had no plans to resign from the hung council, on whichTories form the lalfgesT'gTO0rcT6sblyfol--lowed by Liberal Democrats. Available Jt all WHbniilli Video Stockiili "-irrtr HUP 19.99 tSuivey undertaken by NOP Market Resoarch among MOD randomly seletfixlcurront account or over.

In order to safeguard our customers certain transactions i requiro widen confirmation. First Direct reserve the nght to doclmo to open an account tor you. Before agreeing to lend you money we will want to make sure you can afford the ropayments. For wnlten details ot our sorvicos wnlo lo fust Dnecl. Freopost HKI6.

Leeds LS1 1 0YF. Fitst Direct is a division ol Midland Bank pic, a member ol 5FA AE42 Manlier HSBC 2 Gmup WW First Direct is a shrewd way to bank. Our customers never pay transaction charges, even if they're overdrawn. We even provide them with an automatic 250 overdraft free of any fees; all they pay is interest at a competitive rate on the amount they borrow. Just compare these bank charges with the cost of running a First Direct Cheque Account: Annual current account charges NatWest Current Plus 108 Lloyds Classic 96 TSB Interest Cheque Account 72 Barclays Flexible 60 First Direct Cheque Account 0 Show annual cli.mjeb on .1 current decoun! with jn dulhonsed overdraft ol C250 The account is overdrawn by CI00 lor 3 days each month.

Theso ate overdralt chdigos only. They do not take account ot interest, credit or debit Charges correct as at 2.9 a4. he who banks with First Direct banks for free. Sally Weale THE Tory group leader on Maidstone council in Kent is being investigated for benefit fraud after allegedly tailing to declare changes circumstances while claiming Income Support. Andrew Gunstone lias already been ordered by the Benefits Agency to repay more than 20.000.

and the Employment Service's prosecution unit is now considering whether to bring charges of obtaining money by deception. Last night, however, Mr Gun-stone said he had done nothing wrong and would appeal against the agency's ruling. The allegations, which cover the period between February 1992 and February 199-1, come as the Tories are desperately-trying to shake off the charges of sleaze now dogging them. An Employment memo obtained by the Guardian claims Mr Gunstone failed kids a Try I HHP 9.00 First Direct isn't like the high street banks, it's a telephone banking service that never closes. So you can do your banking from anywhere, at any time you like.

Your calls are answered promptly by friendly, efficient people who have all your details to hand. They perform any service you need whether it's moving money between accounts, arranging a loan or even buying or selling shares for you. And wherever in the country you ring from, your calls are charged at local rates. UPon9t give the Every First Direct customer receives a card that withdraw up to 500 per day from any Royal Scotland. Clydesdale, Midland, TSB, NatWest, or Northern cash machine.

Your card will also guarantee your cheques up to 100. To pay cheques in, simply post them to us. puppy this Christmas. a penguin instead. First Direct is proving to be very successful.

So much so that 10,000 new customers join every month and over 90' of our existing customers recommend us to their friends. To find out more, telephone us or send us the coupon. That won't cost you anything either. 0800 222 000 Post lo: First Olroct, Freepost HK16, Leeds LS1 more Information on banking with First Direct. MnMra'Mlgs Ms or Title Forename(s) Surname On.

IV HHP 19.99 HUP 19.99 MSmiili price 18.99 WHSmitli price IB. 99 llSmiili llSiiittlt iin.v 1U.99 'our firt'at BliC. itJcot for your rhilrlrrii llii fur mily SIU.QU acli nt WHSmitli. There's more to life with WH SMITH. Address BE MB Postcodo Jejephonojlnc.sJdJ.