HC Deb 24 April 1998 vol 310 cc733-4W
Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what criteria applied to the export of pathogens from the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research at Porton Down between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 1989; and what criteria are applied now. [38834]

Mr. Milburn

Since the formation of the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research in 1979, any request relating to the export of pathogens has been carefully considered on a case by case basis, taking due cognisance of the relevant export control legislation and guidance issued by the Department of Trade and Industry.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what records were kept of the sale of pathogens from his Department's installations between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 1989; and what records are kept now. [38832]

Mr. Milburn

Records are kept of all customers who purchase material from the European Collection of Cell Cultures, Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research (CAMR); the National Collection of Type Cultures, Public Health Laboratory Service (PHLS); and the National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi, PHLS.

The databases maintained at each of the culture collections include the name and address of the customer, the date, details of the material supplied and the price charged. This arrangement has been in place at CAMR since 1979. The records at the PHLS National Collection of Type Cultures date from October 1985 and there is an additional record of computer generated sales invoices, stored in date sequence, dating from mid-1988. The records held at the PHLS National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi date from the 1970s.

Mr. Menzies Campbell

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what pathogens were sold and at what price to the American Type Culture Collection in Rockville, Maryland, by the Centre for Applied Microbiology and Research at Porton Down between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 1989. [38833]

Mr. Milburn

The centre for applied microbiology and research has not sold or supplied any pathogens to the American type culture collection between 1 January 1985 and 31 December 1989.