§ Mr. DalyellTo ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions pursuant to his Department's letter EE/p50/134/14/98 of 24 July what was the result of his Department's inquiries into permethrin timber treatments in Germany. [55364]
§ Mr. MealeThe Health and Safety Executive has obtained and considered a copy of the Study carried out by the Fraunhoffer Institute of Toxicology and Aerosol Research. The products tested were public hygiene insecticides which, where they are applied to surfaces, are formulated and applied specifically to create an exposed surface residue of active ingredient which kills insects when they come in contact with it. These differ from wood preservative insecticides which are formulated to penetrate the surface of the wood. Thus the study is of limited value for those considering the use of permethrin as a wood preservative in Great Britain.