Written question asked by Lord Corbett of Castle Vale (Labour) on Tuesday, 9 May 2000, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Monday, 15 May 2000. It was answered by Baroness Primarolo (Labour) on Monday, 15 May 2000 on behalf of the Treasury.

Treasury

Question: To ask Mr Chancellor of the Exchequer, what evaluation he has (a) made and (b) commissioned of the potential health risks from the use of (i) high-energy and (ii) low-energy scanning equipment for the detection of smuggled goods and substances at ports of entry.

Answer: Mr. Corbett: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer what evaluation he has (a) made and (b) commissioned of the potential health risks from the use of (i) high-energy and (ii) low-energy scanning equipment for the detection of smuggled goods and substances at ports of entry. [121794] Dawn Primarolo: Before any scanning equipment is used by Customs and Excise, a full health and safety evaluation is carried out by an independent consultant to ensure compliance with all UK health and safety legislation.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 121794; 350 c47W
Session: 1999-00
Subjects: Customs and Excise Customs Health hazards Equipment Research X-rays Smuggling
Link: View this Written question on www.publications.parliament.uk