§ Mr. Laurence RobertsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment he has made of the health of residents in Sandhurst, Gloucestershire, following the explosion at Cleansing Services Group Ltd.; and if he will make a statement. [26656]
§ Ms Blears[holding answer 11 January 2002]: Gloucestershire health authority has monitored the health of the residents of Sandhurst following the fire at Cleansing Services Group in October 2000.
The authority has found that the physical and/or psychological health of a significant proportion of Sandhurst residents was affected following the fire. The majority of physical symptoms experienced resolved within four weeks although a small number of people reported continuing physical symptoms seven months after the incident. The health authority has established a study to monitor the long-term effects of the incident on the community.