§ Mr. Masonasked the Minister for Trade, pursuant to the answer by the hon. Member for Eye (Mr. Gummer) to the right hon. Member for Barnsley of 20 January stating that the Health and Safety Executive is seeking advice from the Health and Safety Commission's advisory committee on toxic substances with a view to ascertaining the link between chrysoidine dye and cancer, whether he will have consultations with Imperial Chemical Industries which manufactures the dye on the sale and use of this dye with a view to halting sales until this examination is completed.
§ Dr. VaughanI understand that both Imperial Chemical Industries and the only other known United Kingdom manufacturer of chrysoidine have stopped selling it to maggot suppliers to anglers for use as a dye because of the concern that it might be a cancer risk. I understand, however, that there may still be stocks of the dye available. I am therefore considering how best to let anglers know of the advice of the DHSS committee on carcinogenicity referred to in the reply of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Social Services to the right hon. Member on 24 January—[Vol. 35, c. 299]—about not putting chrysoidine-treated maggots in the mouth.