§ Dr. Julian LewisTo ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department what discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Health on precautions to be taken by(a) Government Departments and (b) the public in relation to the threat of anthrax attack. [13410]
§ Mr. DenhamThe Home Office is working very closely with the Department of Health on precautionary guidance that should be followed in relation to biological and chemical threats received by post including anthrax. The Home Office initially provided updated guidance in the form of a supplement to 'Bombs: Protecting People and Property' which was made available via the Home Office website. Departmental Security Officers in Government Departments have been issued with appropriate guidance by the Cabinet Office Security Division.
Using the Home Office guidance as a starting point, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) were asked to prepare expanded guidance for members of the public, employers and workers on: general mail handling; identification of a suspect package; steps that should be taken if a suspect package is received or if somebody comes into contact 236W with a biological or chemical substance and what to do if you are an employer. This information is now available on the website of the News Co-ordination Centre http://www.co-ordination.gov.uk (part of the Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat) and the HSE's own website. The guidance is also linked to other Government websites. The guidance will be kept under constant review in the light of developments worldwide.