asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have made an assessment of the research currently being undertaken at the University of Surrey and at the University of Albany in the United States on the public health and environmental effects of polychlorinated biphenyls and other chlorinated hydrocarbons released into the environment and, particularly, into water sources. [HL3351]

The Government are not aware of what research is being carried out at the University of Surrey and the University of Albany in this area. The Committee on Toxicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment keeps under review research on dioxins and polychlorinated biphenyls, which have similar toxic properties, and will consider any significant developments in the area of human health.