§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Health how many hours training on(a) toxicology and (b) the effects of carbon monoxide is given to medical students; and if he will request the GMC to review its requirements. [20724]
§ Mr. MilburnThe information requested is not held centrally. Individual university medical schools determine their own undergraduate medical curricula in the light of recommendations from the Education Committee of the General Medical Council, which has a statutory responsibility to determine the extent of the knowledge and skill required for the granting of primary medical qualifications in the United Kingdom. We will ensure that the GMC is made aware of your concern about this matter.
§ Ann ClwydTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what medical research he has(a) commissioned and (b) evaluated into the health effects of long-term exposure to carbon monoxide. [20725]
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§ Ms JowellWe have recently announced the funding of a £1 million joint research programme over 3 years with the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions into the effects on health of exposure to air pollutants and damp in the home. The successful research proposals will be announced shortly and include 3 projects on carbon monoxide. We will write to my hon. Friend the Member for Cynon Valley (Ann Clwyd) towards the end of January with more details.
In addition we are funding a major research initiative on outdoor air pollution with the Medical Research Council and the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions. This programme of research began in 1994–95 and is due for completion in 1998–99. Three of the projects funded under this initiative are looking at carbon monoxide alongside other pollutants. However, none are primarily focused on the long term health effects of exposure to carbon monoxide. When the research programme is completed an evaluation of the effectiveness of the research will be made in order to assess where further research is needed.