HC Deb 20 July 1998 vol 316 cc411-2W
Mr. Gill

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what data his Department has collated on synergetic or potentiating effects of exposure to organophosphates to an individual taking the H2 inhibitors Cimetidine and Ranatidine. [50417]

Ms Jowell

We are not aware of any data on possible interactions of organophosphates and human medicines containing H2 inhibitors.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what research his Department has evaluated into the effects on pulmonary, immune, neurological and psychoneurological functions of infants and young children exposed to organophosphates used domestically; and if he will make a statement. [50530]

Ms Jowell

The Pesticides Safety Directorate, an agency of the Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food, is responsible for the registration and safety evaluation of pesticides for amateur garden use in Great Britain. The Department has not evaluated any research into the effects on pulmonary, immune, neurological and psychoneurological functions of infants and young children exposed to organophosphates used domestically in gardens.

Mr. Ainger

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment his Department has made of the correlation between the incidence of asthma in children of sheep farmers and(a) sheep dipping and (b) spraying of crops with organophosphates. [50529]

Ms Jowell

The Department's policy research programme (PRP) and the central National Health Service research and development programmes are not currently supporting any research into the correlation between the incidence of asthma in children of sheep farmers and sheep dipping and spraying crops with organophosphates. The Medical Research Council, which is funded by the Office of Science and Technology, commissions most of the Government's research into bio-medical and clinical issues. The Council is always open to new sound scientific proposals in competition with other applications. The Department's PRP supports the formulation of health and social care policies and the NHS programmes support the needs of the health service. Records are not held centrally of all research carried out in the NHS.