§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by Lord Hunt of Kings Heath on 20 December (WA 56), whether written consent had been obtained from the subjects of the pilot study, Surveillance of sheep dip exposures–23 September to 3 November 1991, and from subsequent surveillance projects, before blood samples were taken and questionnaires issued. [HL980]
§ Lord Hunt of Kings HeathWe understand that it was not accepted practice at the time of the pilot study to obtain written consent from subjects before taking blood samples or issuing questionnaires. Blood samples were taken for clinical purposes and the questionnaires aimed to verify the circumstances of exposure.