§ Mr. GaleTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what assessment he has made of the impact on costs to industry of Post Office proposals for the packaging of veterinary, medical and other samples; [77224]
(2) what clarification his Department has received from the Post Office of packaging requirements for pathological specimens; and if he will make a statement. [77225]
140W
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 17 March 1999]: This is an operational matter for the Post Office, which is proposing to introduce changes in transport and packaging requirements for diagnostic specimens and infectious substances in order to ensure compliance with national and international requirements on the safe transport of these substances. Discussions are continuing between officials of the Post Office, the Department of the Environment, Transport and the Regions, the Health and Safety Executive and the Civil Aviation Authority to ensure both that the requirements for the safe transport of infectious and diagnostic substances are met and that costs to industry are minimised.