§ Mr. Carter-Jonesasked the Minister of Overseas Development what representations he has received regarding designs for completing the cold chain in the supply of poliomyelitis vaccine for developing countries; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. TomlinsonMy Ministry has agreed to fund a research project for the development of an ice-making device for use in the field which can operate on a variety of simple heat sources and a second project for the development of a vapour-cycle refrigerator to use any form of fuel or of heat input, including solar heat, is under consideration. I understand also that a charitable institution in this country has approached the Atomic Energy Research Establishment at Harwell about the development of a refrigerator suitable for use in the cold chain, and that a proposal may be put to me.
I am aware from information that the Ministry has received of two institutions in the developing countries who are working on the development of solar-powered "village size" refrigerators, and as my hon. Friend knows, the World Health Organisation is devoting considerable effort to the solution of the problems associated with the management and technological aspects of the cold chain system.