§ Mr. Stephen Rossasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs how many United Kingdom citizens were known to be in the vicinity of the Icmesa factory at Seveso at the time of the emission of gas, or at any time between the emission and the evacuation of the populace; if special medical facilities are being made available to such persons on their return to the United Kingdom; and if precautions are being taken to prevent the importation of dioxin into the United Kingdom on the belongings of those affected.
§ Mr. HattersleyMy right hon. Friend has had no reports of United Kingdom citizens being in the vicinity of the factory at the time of the explosion or between that time and the subsequent evacuation. However, my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services has informed me that
- (a) his medical officers have received inquiries from a few patients who passed through the area; these were given special advice concerning treatment;
- (b) only those who were contaminated during or immediately after the explosion are likely to suffer any ill effects and that it is not necessary to adopt precautions to prevent the importation of dioxin into the United Kingdom on the belongings of those affected.