§ Mr. ColemanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what information he has about the decision of the United States national institutes of health to instruct all biological laboratories to review their safety guidelines following the reported infection of two laboratory workers with the AIDS virus after working with concentrated samples; and whether he will carry out such a review of procedures in medical and biological laboratories in Scotland.
§ Mr. Michael ForsythWe are aware of the decision of the United States national institutes of health. Following a review of procedures relevant to potential occupational HIV infection which was carried out by the advisory committee on dangerous pathogens, in July 1986 the Scottish Home and Health Department drew the attention of all health boards to revised guidelines drawn up by the 65W committee. These guidelines have been endorsed by the Health and Safety Commission and the Health and Safety Executive.