Chemicals and health

Press, 10 January 1986, Page 12

Chemicals and health

Sir,—lt concerns me to learn that only now are the effects of 2, 4,5, T and other chemicals to be investigated. (“The Press,” December 5). It is more concerning that our Minister of Health, Dr Bassett, has not commented on this very important issue or given us an indication of how the Labour Government is going to handle the situation. I am left wondering whether a National Government would have shown more concern, and would welcome some comment from Mr Burdon M.P., National’s spokesman on health, as it was he that has criticised Labour’s efforts on such issues as A.I.D.S. and the Adoption Bill.—Yours, etc., GEOFF BROWN. December 5, 1985.

[The Minister of Health, Dr Bassett, replies: “Your correspondent is incorrect when he states that only now are the effects of 2,4,5-T and other chemicals being investigated. For example, there are many thousands of research papers on 2,4,5-T alone and the results of this research have been fully taken into account by the Department of Health when assessing the safety of this material. This assessment shows that there is no evidence that the normal use of 2,4,5-T Eits any threat to the public . There is no reason to believe that the Environmental Council Working Party on 2,4,5-T set up at the request of the Labour Party, will reach any different conclusion.”] [The Opposition spokesman for Health, Mr Philip Burdon, replies: “Directly I receive evidence that gives me reasonable cause to believe that 2,4,5-T is causing any likelihood of damage to anyone when used in the prescribed manner then I shall certainly call upon the Department of Health to take appropriate action. I am determined to continue to act as watchdog of the actions that Dr Bassett and the Labour Government take in respect of their responsibilities in the Department of Health and will have no hesitation in criticising them whenever I feel they have failed their responsibilities.”]