§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health (1) what progress has been made by her Department's working group into research regarding the bacteria strain in beef which has caused deaths; [20462]
(2) if she will list the members of the committee that was set up to investigate health hazards in respect of bacterium, E coli 0157; what are the members' qualifications; when the report will be published; and if she will make a statement. [20727]
§ Mr. SackvilleThe report of the Advisory Committee on the Microbiological Safety of Food on verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli—VTEC—will be published shortly with the Government's response to its recommendations. Details of the membership of the ACMSF and its working group on VTEC are contained in the ACMSF's annual report 1993, copies of which are in the Library.
§ Mr. RedmondTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what representations she has received from doctors about the bacteria strain linked to beef responsible for deaths; and what trends there have been in the number of deaths caused. [20461]
§ Mr. SackvilleWe have received no such representations. Information on deaths associated with verocytotoxin-producing Escherichia coli is not available centrally. However, available evidence does not suggest a change in the mortality associated with infection.