§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health in what ways the Department of Health is intending to review and assess the clinical data of the long-term health effects arising out of the nerve gas attacks on the Tokyo subway and Matsumato in 1994 and 1995. [14417]
§ Mr. HoramDepartment of Health officials have examined available published papers on the health outcomes of the incidents in Tokyo and Matsumoto, and will continue to do so as further work appears.
§ Mr. LivingstoneTo ask the Secretary of State for Health, pursuant to his answer of 5 December,Official Report, column 758, what was the title of the conference attended by the official of his Department in July 1995; who were the organisers of this conference and where this conference was held; when the small working group is expected to finalise the guidance on managing the effects on health of incidents where chemicals have been deliberately released; and if this guidance will be made public. [14416]
§ Mr. HoramThe conference in question was the seminar on responding to the consequences of chemical and biological terrorism. It was sponsored by the United States public health service's office of emergency preparedness and was held at the uniformed services university of health sciences, Bethesda, Maryland. The small working group is aiming to complete its work by the end of July. The intention is to distribute the guidance to the national poisons information service and those who need it in the national health service, including public health and accident and emergency departments.