Written question asked by Robert Key (Conservative) on Thursday, 26 March 1998, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 1 April 1998. It was answered by Baroness Jowell (Labour) on Wednesday, 1 April 1998 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what capacity the Government has specifically commissioned since 1st April 1994 from the Microbiological Research Agency to respond to national emergencies.

Answer: Mr. Key: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what capacity the Government have specifically commissioned since 1 April 1994 from the Microbiological Research Agency to respond to national emergencies. [37136] Ms Jowell: Since 1 April 1994 the Department and the Public Health Laboratory Service have commissioned the Microbiological Research Authority to provide reference services to the National Health Service for the diagnosis of anthrax, and of infections caused by other exotic biological agents such as arbovirus, haemorrhagic fever viruses, and rickettsia. These services would form a key part of the co-ordinated response to any civil emergency which involved these organisms. The Department has paid the authority £0.5 million per annum to provide these services. Any other services which the Government require of the authority in a national emergency are for my right hon. Friends the Secretaries of State for Defence and the Home Department to address.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 309 c572W; 37136
Session: 1997-98
Subjects: Emergencies Planning Microbiology Technology Research Science Anthrax Microbiological Research Authority