§ Mr. Kilroy-Silkasked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will take steps to increase the staff at Southport infirmary's laboratory so that it can comply with his Department's code of practice;
(2) if he will specify the ways in which Walter and Fazakerly hospitals fail to meet the standards laid down for laboratories in his Department's code and the requirements of the Health and Safety at Work, etc. Act; and what urgent steps he is taking to ensure that safety standards are met.
§ Dr. VaughanThe staffing and equipping of the laboratories at Southport infirmary and Walton and Fazakerley hospitals are matters for the Sefton area health authority, which I understand recognises that a number of important improvements are necessary to ensure that the laboratories meet fully the standards required by the Department's circular on the implementation of the code of practice for the prevention of infection in clinical laboratories and post mortem rooms.