§ Mr. McQuarrieasked the Secretary of State for Scotland when his Department will be in a position to issue interim guidelines to medical and nursing staff in penal institutions on the steps to be taken to counteract the dangers of contacts with hepatitis B carriers; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. AncramWhile my Department expects to be in a position to issue interim guidelines shortly, the content of these guidelines is a matter for the Civil Service Medical Advisory Service and a meeting already arranged between my officials and representatives of the service will take place on 23 February to discuss the matter. I must stress, however, that there is no evidence that there is any major risk to staff in Scottish penal institutions as a result of contacts with hepatitis B carriers; that no member of staff has contracted hepatitis from such contacts; and that the steps being taken are purely precautionary.