Written question asked by Andrew Mackinlay (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 6 March 1997. It was answered by Paul Beresford (Conservative) on Thursday, 6 March 1997 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: For which cancer-causing organism the Health and Safety Executive in 1994 temporarily banned the research which was being conducted by Birmingham University Department of Cancer Studies; and if he will place papers relating to the experimentation in the Library. - Includes fact that will shortly place in Library papers relating to the work at the university which are in HSEs possession.

Answer: Mr. Mackinlay: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment for which cancer-causing organism the Health and Safety Executive in 1994 temporarily banned the research which was being conducted by Birmingham university department of caner studies; and if he will place papers relating to the experimentation in the Library. [18996] Sir Paul Beresford: The work at Birmingham university involved the expression of oncogenes--genes implicated in the cancer process--in adenovirus vectors and oncogenes in retroviral vectors. Following an HSE inspection, two prohibition notices were issued, which required the university to undertake full risk assessments and also to improve the standard of containment. The university subsequently compiled with these notices. I will shortly place in the Library papers relating to the above work at the university, which are in HSE's possession.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 18996; 291 c731W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Cancer Genetics Health and safety Health and Safety Executive Hazards Research Risk assessment University of Birmingham