§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department has taken to obtain and assess clinical data arising out of the nerve gas attack on the Tokyo subway in March 1995; when these data were passed on to the Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment, Porton Down; and what discussions his Department has held with the Ministry of Defence on these data. [6964]
§ Mr. HoramIn July 1995, an official from the Department attended a conference in the United States of America at which the nerve agent attacks in Tokyo and Matsumoto were discussed. The Chemical and Biological Defence Establishment was also represented at that conference. Since then, there have been a number of discussions between Ministry of Defence and Department of Health officials, and the Department has set up a small working group to develop guidance on managing the effects on health of incidents where chemicals, including nerve agents, are deliberately released. The group's membership includes national health service and military medical experts and staff from Porton Down.