Why so long to act? Government ignores SARS leaflet request by Lib Dems

12.30.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 25th Apr 2003

The Government has failed to act on a Lib Dem request to investigate whether it can force airlines to give out leaflets about the SARS virus to passengers.

At the Assembly's Health Committee on 10 April, Penny Bevan, Deputy Director of Public Health at the Department of Health, agreed to a request by Lynne Featherstone to investigate whether air passengers traveling from SE Asia can be given leaflets about the SARS virus with information on symptoms and the course of action they should take.

Ms Featherstone warned: "It is vital that travellers are provided with swift, direct information and guidance about the SARS virus. The Government needs to take urgent action to work with the airlines to ensure the public is provided with the information that will both reassure them and help to contain a potential outbreak of the virus."