Written question asked by David Drew (Labour) on Tuesday, 13 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Wednesday, 21 July 2004. It was answered by Melanie Johnson (Labour) on Wednesday, 21 July 2004 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dept of Health

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health, on how many occasions, in each of the last five years, NHS medical staff working within the chemical and laboratory facilities associated with the National Poisons Information Service have sent biological samples from patients for biochemical assay to agrochemical companies; which companies were used; for what exposures; and whether independent checks were carried out on the results.

Answer: Mr. Drew: To ask the Secretary of State for Health on how many occasions, in each of the last five years, NHS medical staff working within the chemical and laboratory facilities associated with the National Poisons Information Service have sent biological samples from patients for biochemical assay to agrochemical companies; which companies were used; for what exposures; and whether independent checks were carried out on the results. [184452] Miss Melanie Johnson: No biological samples have been sent by the National Poisons Information Service associated laboratories for assay by the agrochemical industry. It may be possible that other national health service laboratories have sent such samples, but no central register is held.

Secondary information