§ Mr. Dalyellasked the Secretary of State for Employment if he will make a statement on the work of the Health and Safety Executive in relation to combating microbiological hazards.
§ Mr. MayhewI am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that the Health and Safety Executive is active in the field of microbiological hazards, in collaboration with Government departments and bodies concerned, including the genetic manipula-450W tion advisory group and the dangerous pathogens advisory group.
The Executive's inspectors have recently completed a programme of inspections of all laboratories handling category A dangerous pathogens. Regulations are being prepared which will strengthen the present arrangements for the control of dangerous pathogens by requiring laboratories working with, or intending to work with, such pathogens to notify the Executive.
The Health and Safety (Genetic Manipulation) Regulations 1978, which require all those intending to carry out activities in genetic manipulation to notify the executive and the genetic manipulation advisory group, are now in force and the executive's inspectors are carrying out a programme of inspection of the relevant laboratories.
The executive has recently strengthened its expertise in this area by the appointment of a senior consultant adviser on microbiology.