§ Mr. Terry Davisasked the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, pursuant to the answer of the Minister of State, Official Report, 2 December, c. 246, when the request for laparoscopes was received; how many laparoscopes were requested; and what further discussions with the Indian authorities are necessary.
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§ Mr. Neil MartenThe requests relating to Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu were received in London on 26 October and 2 November respectively. One hundred laparoscopes have been requested for Madhya Pradesh and 108 for Tamil Nadu. We needed to discuss how they would be distributed, the level of training of staff who would use them, and matters such as the adequacy of sterilising facilities in hospitals where they would be used; and whether any further British help beyond supplying the instruments would be needed.