§ Dr. GodmanTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland if he will state the proportions of toxicity data for Nuvan
586W
Inverclyde Royal hospital Number of deaths, by primary diagnosis1, in years 1984–88 Diagnosis 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 Not known — 2 — 1 13 Infections and Parasitic Disease 4 1 2 5 4 Neoplasms 179 160 152 165 169 Endocrine Metabolic Immunity etc. 6 5 4 2 6 Blood: Blood Forming Organ Disease 1 3 2 2 3 Mental Disorders — 1 — 2 — Nervous System Sense Organs 5 6 4 4 1 Circulation Systems 223 260 245 252 227 Respiratory System 74 51 67 46 59 Digestive System 48 47 40 36 45 Genito-urinary Systems 16 13 21 9 10 Complications of Pregnancy, Childbirth Puerperium — — — — 3 Skin, Subcutaneous Tissue 2 2 2 2 3 500 EC which have been extrapolated from laboratory tests and from field studies, such as bioassays and ecological surveys; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Michael Forsyth[holding answer 26 January 1989]: Data has been provided by the manufacturer of Nuvan 500 EC to the veterinary products committee in support of the company's application for the product to be licensed for use as a medicine. Information in support of an application for a medicinal product licence is a matter of commercial confidentiality. The publication of such information and the tests on which it is based would be a matter for the company concerned.
The Department of Agriculture and Fisheries for Scotland has carried out its own investigations into the environmental effect of dichlorvos, the active ingredient of Nuvan and its possible toxicity to a number of marine organisms. All of the toxicity data so far obtained by DAFS scientists in these investigations is derived from laboratory studies.
As I indicated in my reply of 12 January to the hon. Member for Argyll and Bute (Mrs. Michie) at column 726, results of the studies so far of the toxicity of dichlorvos to the larval forms of the lobster (Homarus gammarus) and the herring (Clupea Hargenus) will be published later this year. Other studies (including possible field studies) are planned on the effects on marine life of prolonged or repeated exposure to low levels of dichlorvos.