§ Mr. Canavanasked the Secretary of State for Scotland, pursuant to his reply to the hon. Member for Falkirk, West on 29 October 1985, Official Report, column 467, what steps are being taken to consider chromium poisoning in the differential diagnosis of the morbidity and mortality of the dairy herd belonging to Mr. Taylor who farms in the vicinity of the former Re-Chem International chemical disposal plant at Roughmute, Bonnybridge; what plans are being made to remove from his land the contents of the bordering waste dump; and what plans are being made to compensate Mr. Taylor.
§ Mr. John MacKayThe problems affecting the dairy herd owned by Mr. Taylor during the period 1978–80 were diagnosed by Glasgow university veterinary school as stemming from ragwort poisoning. This diagnosis was confirmed by the Lenihan review following very careful consideration of the views expressed by Dr. Thornton of the Imperial college regarding possible metal contamination. Chromium and ragwort poisoning present quite different and distinguishable features on histopathological examination. No further investigations into this aspect are therefore planned.
The removal of waste and the question of compensation are matters on which Mr. Taylor should consult his legal adviser.