§ Mr. Gareth WardellTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if his Department has made any financial contribution or is currently contributing to research that would determine the fate of viruses discharged to the sea in sewage.
§ Lord James Douglas-HamiltonNot directly; in addition to its own research programmes the Scottish Office participates with other Government Departments in appropriate programmes of United Kingdom research. In particular the Scottish Development Department is involved in the Department of the Environment's research programme on water, promoted on behalf of all environment departments. New studies on the health effects of sea bathing are being considered for this programme in 1989–90 and may touch on the specific issue raised.