§ The Countess of Marasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they are aware of German research which implicates synthetic pyrethroids in the induction of multiple chemical sensitivity in humans and if so what is their present attitudes to a diagnosis of multiple chemical sensitivity caused by organic chemicals.
§ Baroness Cumberlege:Yes. The Government are aware of research in Germany on sensitivity to synthetic pyrethroid insecticides and officials of the Department of Health have written to the appropriate officials in Germany to obtain more information.
The whole area of multiple chemical sensitivity continues to be a subject of considerable controversy. The Government will be guided by the consensus of medical opinion on this issue but meanwhile accept that diagnoses will be made on the basis of present understanding of illness caused by organic chemicals.