§ Baroness Turner of Camdenasked Her Majesty's Government:
In the light of the discovery of an ampoule of smallpox virus at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, what steps are being taken to ensure that adequate registers of dangerous pathogens are held by research establishments in the private and public sectors and how often are physical inspections undertaken by the appropriate inspectorate.
§ Lord Young of GraffhamFollowing the incident at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical medicine a letter has been sent to relevant laboratories reminding them of the requirements for the safe handling of pathogens and of the Health and Safety (Dangerous Pathogens) Regulations 1981. Guidance has also been given to laboratories on safety aspects of work with pathogens, notably by the Advisory Committee on Dangerous Pathogens.
After an initial inspection, the frequency of further visits depends on the inspector's assessment of the work and the ability of those responsible for it to maintain adequate standards, which would normally include the keeping of records.