§ 57. Mr. Shersbyasked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether, in view of the serious shortage of consultant toxicologists within the Government service, and the resulting danger of faulty decisions seriously affecting the food industry, he will take steps to remedy the situation.
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§ Mr. MoyleThe shortage of consultant toxicologists is not confined to the Government service, nor, indeed, to this country. Nevertheless, every endeavour is being made to increase and improve the service available to Government.
The medical and scientific staff concerned with toxicological matters in my Department has already been strengthened In addition, arrangements have been completed within the National Health Service for a scheme for training to consultant level doctors who wish to specialise in toxicology. The training will be integrated with teaching facilities in pathology. Steps are being taken to recruit suitable doctors to undertake this training, in the expectation that they will ultimately seek posts on the staff of the Department.
In addition to the work of the doctors and scientists already in the Department, we have the benefit of the advice of a number of committees of independent experts. One of these is predominantly concerned with aspects of food toxicity, and we are in process of appointing additional members to it. The advice of this expert committee is sent to the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee, whose recommendations are published for public comment before final decisions are reached on them.