Vince Cable

The campaign 'Why 17' - found to reduce the rate of death amongst young babies and still-born children - took a big step forward last week with a launch in the House of Commons.

Vincent Cable MP was present at the launch with local residents, Gary and Alison Gale, whose own experience of losing one of their twin babies propelled them into the campaign. The two local district hospitals (Kingston and West Middlesex) and the Primary Care Trust have pledged support.

Vincent Cable said: "It is difficult to understand why Britain has a poor performance in this respect. Other countries seem to manage their maternity services better without losing so many young children. That is why the campaign group wants more research and focused attention on the problem. While only a small minority of parents lose their children, the experience is devastating for those who do. I think Alison and Gary are brave to have come forward to help other parents and I hope we can make progress locally as well as nationally with the campaign."