HL Deb 15 February 2000 vol 609 cc140-1WA
The Countess of Mar

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether the revised version of the Health and Safety Executive's MS17 has been published; and to whom it is to be distributed. [HL965]

Lord Whitty

Guidance note MS17, now retitledMedical aspects of work related exposures to Organophosphates, has been finalised following publication of the Committee on Toxicity report into organophosphates. It will be published towards the end of March, and copies will be placed in the Libraries of both Houses.

The specialised advice in MS17 is aimed at doctors and occupational health professionals. Copies will be sent to those consulted in the revision and relevant government departments and agencies. Discussions are still under way with the Department of Health on the most effective methods of publicising the revised document to the defined target audience. Arrangements will be made to publish a summary of the guidance on the Internet, and work is under way to include a reference to MS17 under the section "Information for doctors" on the labels of OP sheep dip products when they are next revised. MS17 will also be available extensively as a priced publication from HSE Books and high street bookshops.