§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations have been made by regional health boards for variations in the Howie committee code of practice; and what will be his attitude towards these recommendations.
§ Mr. FairgrieveNone so far. The intention in introducing the code was to bring about a significant improvement in standards of safety in clinical laboratories; and the case for any variation would need to be very persuasive.
§ Mr. Gordon Wilsonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what will be 346W the costs to the Scottish Health Service of implementation of the Howie committee code of practice; and what proportions of the increased costs will be borne by central Government and by health boards regionally.
§ Mr. FairgrieveNo comprehensive estimate of costs is available. Health boards have been asked to implement the recommendations over a period of three years and to meet the cost from the general allocations which they receive.