§ Mr. AllenTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what investigations his Department is undertaking into the use of the chemicals lindane and pentachlorophenol for wood preservative treatment and its effects upon bats; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Virginia BottomleyThe Department of the Environment is one of six responsible for approving all pesticides, including wood preservatives, under the Control of Pesticides Regulations. Following the advice of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides, all timber treatment products containing lindane must be labelled as "DANGEROUS TO BATS". Because of concern about the effects of wood preservatives on bats, Departments have asked the advisory committee to consider the issue further and a sub-group has been set out to advise on appropriate action. Its report is awaited.