Written question asked by Lord Tyler (Liberal Democrat) on Tuesday, 13 July 2004, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 20 July 2004. It was answered by Alun Michael (Labour) on Tuesday, 20 July 2004 on behalf of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.

Dept for Environment Food and Rural Affairs

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, when she expects the report of the survey of Health and Pesticide Exposure, undertaken by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to be published; and if she will make a statement.

Answer: Mr. Tyler: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs when she expects the report of the survey of Health and Pesticide Exposure, undertaken by the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine to be published; and if she will make a statement. [184612] Alun Michael: The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine sent a preliminary report to Defra on the afternoon of Tuesday 13 July 2004. This is a preliminary draft that has not yet been subject to peer review, as is usual prior to the publication of any scientific report. We are currently seeking independent experts to carry out such a review. We will send their comments to the researcher at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, inviting him to address them in his final report. This may necessitate redrafting the report. We hope that this process will be completed by the end of October. Defra is also continuing to seek the contractor's cooperation with an independent audit of the clinical phase of the study. This was described in my answer to the hon. Member's previous question given on 26 May 2004. It is hoped that this will be completed by late autumn this year.

Secondary information