§ Mr. Gareth Wardellasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if his Department has funded any research into the efficacy of existing methods of shellfish purification; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. WhitneyThe Department is currently funding relevant studies at the central public health laboratory, London, on heat inactivation of hepatitis A virus in shellfish. The results of these studies are not expected for some time. I understand that the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is also conducting research into the purification of shellfish.