Mr. ErnieRoss asked the Secretary of State for Scotland how many representations the Scottish Home and Health Department has received claiming that high lead levels in blood may be associated with mental retardation in children.
§ Mr. FairgrieveOnly one private individual has made representations on this subject to my Department. There have, however, been several reports about it.
Mr. ErnieRoss asked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will fund a joint project between Tayside health board and the environmentas health department of Dundee district council to monitor the blood lead levels in babies and children in Dundee.
§ Mr. FairgrieveSurveys to monitor blood lead are continuing under the EEC directive on the biological screening of the population for lead. In the absence of prima facie evidence of high exposure to lead, the taking of blood samples among babies and children in Dundee for the purpose of monitoring blood lead levels would be inappropriate on ethical grounds.