§ Mr. Ian McCartneyTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what specific improvements have been made to the operation of the appointed doctor system in relation to the dangers of working with lead; and if he will place the updated guidance for appointed doctors in the Library. [1443]
§ Sir Paul BeresfordThe Health and Safety Executive has drawn up guidance for appointed doctors. The guidance is entitled "Guidance for Appointed Doctors" and was issued in July 1992. The guidance details the role and function of appointed doctors and provides guidance on their duties under specific statutory regulations. With respect to the control of lead at work regulations, guidance for appointed doctors in given on lead toxicity and
2WAdditionally, we have developed a more accurate way of measuring the extent of drug misuse in the general population which involves taking a large representative sample of adults and asking them to report on their own drug misuse.
The Department of Health issued guidance to the national health service in July 1996 on managing regional drug misuse database services.