§ Lord Brougham and Vauxasked Her Majesty's Government:
What recent advice has been received from the Tyrrell Committee.
Earl HoweAs part of their continuing work to maintain an overview of research into spongiform encephalopathies, the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee have presented to the Secretary of State for Health and my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food a report which reviews the work now underway in response to earlier independent advice about research priorities. The committee notes that all studies justifying a high priority have been started, and they are content with the progress of implementing the earlier recommendations overall. The report adds that the committee believes that all the necessary safeguards are in place to minimise further spread of spongiform encephalopathies in animals and to prevent any risk of transmission to humans. My right honourable friend the Minister is arranging for copies of the report to be placed in the Library of the House and will be arranging for its publication as soon as possible.