§ Mrs. Ray MichieTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland (1) what is his Department's policy towards alerting members of the public about the possible dangers of contact with bracken; and what specific notices have been put up in Scotland;
(2) whether his Department intends to take any steps to reduce the risk and incidence of cancer from carcinogenic substances in bracken.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythThere is no evidence at present to suggest that any cancers in humans are attributable to carcinogen sources in bracken. Scientific research in this field is closely monitored and appropriate action to warn the public would be taken if any statistical evidence of a link between bracken spores and cancer in humans was established.