§ Mr. MillerTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the Government's assessment of the relationship between air pollution and asthma.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe Department is advised on the effects on health of air pollutants by two independent expert committees, the Advisory Group on the Medical Aspects of Air Pollution Episodes—MAAPE—and the Committee on the Medical Effects of Air Pollutants—COMEAP. Asthma is an ill-understood disease. The role of the interactions of genetic and environmental factors, such as exposure to vehicle exhaust emissions and allergens, in triggering off asthma attacks remains unclear. Earlier this year, therefore, a sub-group of COMEAP was established, specifically to advise on the link between exposure to air pollutants and asthma. The first meeting of this sub-group took place in June. A report of its findings will be published and placed in the Library.