asked the Secretary of State for Social Services whether acrylonitrile used in the manufacture of bottles for the carbonated beverage market constitutes a public health hazard due to the migration of the organic chemical into the beverage.

I have been asked to reply.Acrylonitrile is not at present used in the United Kingdom in the manufacture of bottles for carbonated beverages. I have no evidence that such a use would constitute a public health hazard due to the migration of any substance into the beverage, but this matter is being kept under close review.