|
COMMITTEE
ON THE MEDICAL EFFECTS OF AIR POLLUTANTS
Minutes of the meeting held
on Friday 8 October 1999
| Present: |
|
| Chairman: |
Professor
S T Holgate |
| Members: |
Professor
P Burney |
| |
Dr A Gavin |
| |
Dr A R Gibbs |
| |
Mr F Hurley |
| |
Professor
D Purser |
| |
Professor
R Richards |
| |
Professor
A Seaton |
| |
Professor
A Tattersfield |
| |
Dr S Venitt |
| Secretariat: |
Dr R L Maynard |
| |
Dr H A Walton |
| |
Miss J P
Cumberlidge |
| |
Mr J Crook |
| Assessors: |
Dr D Dixon
(SEHD) |
| |
Dr P Harrison
(IEH) |
| |
Dr M Williams
(DETR) |
| In Attendance:
|
Mrs P Fryer
(IEH) |
| |
Dr Tanja
Pless-Mulloli (Item 6) |
| |
Dr C Holman
(Item 7) |
| |
Ms E Jenkins
(DH) |
ITEM 1. APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE
AND ANNOUNCEMENTS
1. Apologies for absence
had been received from Dr Burr, Professor Anderson, Professor Ayres,
Professor Dayan, Professor Harrison, Professor Poole-Wilson, Professor
Strachan, Dr Cooper (MRC), Dr Coster (DETR), Dr Carter (DETR), Dr Tromans
(WO), Dr Smith (DETR) and Dr Morris (SCIEH).
2. The Chairman welcomed Dr Stan Venitt and noted that Dr Tanja Pless-Mulloli
and Dr Claire Holman would be in attendance for Items 6 and 7, respectively.
ITEM 2. MINUTES OF THE MEETING HELD ON 16 OCTOBER 1998. COMEAP/MIN/98/3
3. The minutes were reviewed
page by page. It was agreed that mention of Professor Harrison's personal
interest as a Consultant to Associated Octel should be deleted from
paragraph 26 since his involvement had now lapsed. It was also agreed
that Professor Seaton's entry should be amended to Rolls Royce Aeroengines.
Subject to these amendments the minutes were agreed as an accurate record
of the meeting
ITEM 3. MATTERS ARISING FROM THE MINUTES
3.1 Committee Indemnity
4. Members were informed
that the Committee's views on an indemnity had been passed on to DH's
Finance department which was holding discussions with the Treasury.
The Secretariat undertook to report further developments to the Committee
at the February 2000 meeting.
[ACTION: Secretariat]
3.2 EU Pollution Related Diseases - Call for Proposals
5. This had been circulated
to Members early in September. It was confirmed that research projects
would operate on a matched funding basis.
ITEM 4. COMMUNICATING WITH THE PUBLIC ON THE HEALTH EFFECTS OF AIR
POLLUTANTS. COMEAP/99/12
6. Members were reminded
of the discussion that had taken place at the last meeting based on
Mr Alan Hedges' presentation of his qualitative research on people's
understanding of the health effects of air pollutants. The Committee
had indicated that it wished to return to this issue and attention was
drawn to COMEAP/99/12 which set out the progress that had been made
since then.
7. Turning to Annex A of COMEAP/99/12, the Secretariat explained that
this contained a series of statements which tried to capture the current
state of knowledge in a relatively simple and straightforward way. It
was noted that these might form the basis of future advice to the public
about the health effects of air pollutants. Members were asked to consider
Annex A paragraph by paragraph stating whether they were content that
the statements in the Annex were an accurate reflection of current knowledge,
whether there were any omissions, and whether the statements went too
far or not far enough.
8. It was suggested that an introductory sentence in paragraph 1, explaining
that there might be long- or short-term effects that were looked at
quite differently, might be useful. There was concern that some of the
statements in this paragraph were unnecessarily negative. For example,
it was suggested that it might be more useful to stress that people
could help by changing their behaviour patterns to reduce pollution
by changing their diet, for example to increase their intake of antioxidants
which might oppose the effects of pollutants, rather than saying that
there was little one could do to prevent exposure other than moving,
which might not, in fact, be beneficial.
9. There was some discussion of the statement that the reduction in
life expectancy due to exposure to UK levels of air pollution might
be as much as one year. Some Members felt that this might be incorrect
in that it might include both the effects of acute exposure and long-term
exposure and thus involve an element of double-counting. The Secretariat
commented that this figure was based on Professor Brunekreef's work
and was not intended to be definitive. It was also suggested that the
effect of exposure to air pollution on life expectancy should be put
into context with the effects of other risk factors, such as smoking
and obesity.
10. The emphasis on hospital
admissions for respiratory diseases in paragraph 2 required quantification
in terms of the proportion of total respiratory admissions affected
by air pollution. It was also noted that recent studies in Birmingham
had failed to show any clear association between hospital admissions
for respiratory disease and air pollution. There was some discussion
of possible larger losses of life expectancy than those specified, eg
in relation to heart disease. It would be useful to explain that there
were fluctuations in deaths and hospital admissions due to many factors
such as weather or respiratory infections such as flu. Air pollution
was one (probably minor) factor that contributed. Some Members thought
that the final sentence should be emphasised and be placed at the beginning
of the paragraph. Members were asked whether it was sensible to distinguish
between the effects of air pollution on heart and respiratory disease;
most felt that this was difficult.
11. In paragraph 3 which
dealt with air pollution and asthma, it was agreed that whilst there
was little doubt that sulphur dioxide was a strong airway irritant in
asthmatic patients, this could not be said to be the case for ozone;
therefore, the reference to ozone in this context should be deleted.
Members commented that environmental tobacco smoke should be mentioned
in this section as a trigger for asthma. It was also suggested that
the first line of this paragraph should read "Perhaps surprisingly,
air pollution is not related to the increase in the number of people
suffering from asthma in the UK", and that the fourth line of this
paragraph should be amended to read "…may be adversely affected
by day-to-day changes in air pollutants".
12. Members commented that
the title of paragraph 4 which addressed the issues of avoiding the
effects of air pollutants upon health should be changed, and that the
paragraph was, in general, negative. It was felt that a positive list
of advice for those individuals who were susceptible to the effects
of exposure to air pollution was required, but also acknowledged that
most people would not experience any noticeable effects and therefore
need not alter their behaviour. However, the point was also raised that
behaviour patterns could change levels of air pollution, and that individuals
could contribute to this themselves. It was also noted that other action
was also being taken to reduce pollution, eg, more demanding fuel standards
and emissions limits.
13. Members went on to discuss
paragraph 5 which dealt with information on levels of outdoor air pollutants.
It was felt that very few, if any, patients used the data on the DETR
air pollution information system in order to alter their medication,
and the point was reiterated that few people actually needed to do this.
In reply to a query as to whether this paragraph related to forecasting
levels of air pollution or that actual day's levels, the Secretariat
agreed that this needed to be clarified. The Committee felt that that
the main reason for monitoring air pollutant levels was in order to
regulate, and that the paragraph needed to explain this. Informing the
public provided advanced warning to those who needed it, allowed the
public to monitor progress and allowed the public to take action themselves
to reduce pollution levels if they wished.
14. Members suggested that
in paragraph 6, which contained a discussion of indoor air pollution,
a clear statement should be made at the beginning emphasising that this
was important in view of the fact that most people spent most of their
time in an indoor environment. Some Members expressed the view that
biological organisms, such as house dust mites, should be omitted from
this section as they were not per se pollutants. The emphasis on carbon
monoxide was welcomed, and it was also suggested that environmental
tobacco smoke should be given more prominence in this context.
15. The Committee was asked
whether it felt that the final paragraph on diet should be included.
It was acknowledged that there was little evidence that diet had any
influence on the effects of air pollution upon health, but that a good
diet was beneficial to respiratory and cardiovascular health generally,
and that a statement to this effect would be helpful. It was pointed
out that a recent COMA report had made a specific recommendation in
relation to intake of dietary supplements, and that COMEAP should not
be seen to be contradicting this. After some further discussion, it
was agreed that further comments should be submitted in writing to the
Secretariat, who would prepare a revised draft of the advice for consideration
at the February 2000 meeting.
[ACTION: Secretariat]
16. The Committee proceeded
to consider Annex B of COMEAP/99/12. The Secretariat commented that
DH and DETR officials had recently met with officials from the BBC Weather
Centre and NETCEN. The BBC was keen to obtain the daily forecasts of
air pollution information and to place it on the BBC online website,
and would be preparing a "mocked-up" air pollution page with
links across to the DETR website in the near future. It was also noted
that the BBC was keen to pass this information on to local radio and
news networks, as it was seeking to build up its community information
and online facilities in the future.
17. In addition, the Secretariat
told COMEAP that the BBC had suggested a numerical Air Pollution Index
(API) based on the current banding system, the aim being to have similar
1-10 scales for air pollution as currently operate for tanning times
and for pollen. It was suggested that the advantages of developing a
simple numerical index would be immense; it would ensure that information
about air pollution levels was more widely available than at present,
and that it was more likely to feature in weather reports. Thus, in
a relatively short space of time, people would become as familiar with
what the numbers meant in terms of air pollution levels as they were
now with those relating to temperatures, pollen counts and tanning times.
Attention was drawn to a table attached at Annex B that demonstrated
how such an index might work. It was acknowledged that there were disadvantages;
three pollutants registering, eg, 7 (high) would lead to an overall
7 - this would be a different sort of day with quite different effects
on health from one where only one pollutant registered as high, also
graded as 7. However, it was noted that this applied equally to the
present banding system. The Secretariat also pointed out that there
was more of a temptation with a numerical index to add up the numbers.
However, on the whole, the feeling was that the advantages of approving
an index along the lines set out in the Annex far outweighed these disadvantages,
as it would help to raise people's awareness of air pollution levels.
Members were invited to comment on whether they felt content with an
API along the lines set out at Annex B of COMEAP/99/12 and whether the
statements that accompanied each band were helpful enough. It was noted
that the aim, like that of the current banding system, was not to provide
a completely scientifically accurate numerical scale, but to give a
general indication of likely effects.
18. Members supported the
concept of an Air Pollution Index. They noted the concern that people
might be tempted to add up numbers, but felt that this was unavoidable
if such a system was used. Some Members commented that this was not
an issue about whether numbers or bands were used to describe the levels
of air pollution and air quality, but of whether all pollutants should
be grouped together. The suggestion was also made that rather than using
a table on the proposed website, a histogram, employing five different
colours to describe the different air quality at a particular time,
might be more accessible to the public.
19. Some Members commented
that consistent measuring times should be used; they felt that while
it was acceptable to use different averaging times for different pollutants,
the same averaging time should be used when looking at one particular
pollutant. This applied particularly to ozone in the current banding
system approach where different averaging times were used at different
levels of pollution. However, it was pointed out that this might be
difficult because of the requirements imposed by EC Directives. After
some additional discussion, it was agreed that these comments would
be taken into account, and that the text would be considered again at
the next meeting of the Committee in February 2000.
[ACTION: Secretariat]
ITEM 5. INVESTIGATING THE HEALTH IMPACT OF LOCAL EMISSIONS. COMEAP/99/13
No interests were declared in this item.
20. This issue had been discussed
at the meeting in February 1999 and attention was drawn to a revised
draft version of the Guidelines attached in the Annex to COMEAP/99/13
on which members' views were welcomed. In particular, the Secretariat
noted that members' suggestions for additional organisations and references
would be welcome. Subject to the Committee's views, the Secretariat
intended to send out this revised version for limited pre-consultation
before undertaking a wider consultation with to health authorities,
local authorities, industry and the Environment Agency. Following that,
it was intended to issue the Guidelines as a Health Service Circular
of Good Practice. This would set the Guidelines in the context of health
authorities' other duties relating to chemical incidents, securing the
health of local population, etc, and suggest ways in which Regional
Health Authorities might begin to develop and co-ordinate activities
to examine the potential health impact of environmental pollution. The
Secretariat hoped that it would be possible to circulate a near final
version of the Guidelines to Members before the next meeting
21. Members felt that early
on in the document there should be a statement pointing out that historically,
such investigations had rarely found any positive causal associations
between local industrial emissions and health effects. This would serve
to reduce the general public's expectations of getting a definitive
answer. It was also suggested that there should be some discussion with
CDSC Collindale, and HSE who regularly undertook such investigations.
Another body that might usefully be involved was the Faculty of Public
Health Medicine. The point was raised that there were different, well-established
procedures in place for one-off incidents, and it was agreed to make
this point clear in the document. It should also be emphasised that
the guidelines related to emissions to air. There was some discussion
as to who the guidelines were ultimately aimed at and what body/organisation
should be responsible for investigating the health impacts of these
kinds of incident. The Secretariat replied that the guidelines had originally
been intended to assist local Directors of Public Health, and to prevent
such queries being referred to COMEAP as a matter of routine. Members
felt that this was sensible and should be made clear in the document.
The suggestion was also made that the exacerbation of common diseases
should be added to the list in paragraph 3.
22. Moving on to the different
stages of investigation, it was pointed out that most of the concerns
raised as a result of a complaint could probably be allayed at Stages
1 and 2. If the guidelines were clear on this point, then the need to
recommend further investigations (which might be costly) might be reduced.
On a more general point, it was suggested that the different Stages
should be given titles and that it should be made clear at the end of
each stage that there might not be a need to move on any further. Members
felt that public relations were very important in this type of investigation,
and suggested that cross-reference to the DH publication on Communication
of Risk should be made. The suggestion was made that it might be appropriate
to investigate other possible causes of local levels of disease, such
as migration, or some other common factor within the local community,
early on in the investigation. Members also noted that reference to
fears about the long-term effects of exposure, such as developing cancer,
was raised in Stage 5. They felt that the guidelines should clearly
explain that it could take as many as 20-30 years for such effects to
be seen. After some final discussion, it was agreed that the guidelines
should be sent out for wider public consultation. An initial limited
consultation would be considered before this stage. The results would
be reported back to the Committee at the next meeting.
[ACTION: Secretariat]
ITEM 6. DO PARTICULATES FROM OPEN CAST COAL MINING IMPAIR HEALTH? COMEAP/9914
Profesor Seaton declared a lapsed interest and ; Mr Hurley declared
a non-personal interest in this item.
23. The Committee was reminded
that it had considered two previous studies of the effects of open cast
coal mining on local health; the first by Temple and Sykes in 1992,
and the second by Lyons et al in 1997. It was noted that in both cases
Members had felt that the studies had not produced convincing evidence
of significant damage to health. In 1996, DH and DETR allocated funding
to allow researchers at Newcastle University to undertake a detailed
study of the effects of open cast coal mining on child health. The aims
of this study were: to compare and characterise particulate levels in
communities close to and some distance from open cast sites using quantitative
and qualitative monitoring methods; to compare the respiratory morbidity
of children living in these communities; to investigate the relationship
between particulate patterns and respiratory morbidity; to collect extra
site and background information, and to inform the planning process
through the findings of the study. The study compared health outcomes
of 5 communities close to operational open cast sites with 5 paired
control communities some distance away. The health outcomes covered
different levels of severity of illnesses of the respiratory tract,
eye and skin over several different time periods
24. The main findings of
the study were described. Children in open cast communities were on
average exposed to a small but significant additional amount of PM10
on average compared with children in control communities (2.1 µg/m3,
14%). It was found that this increase was due to shale particles rather
than particles of coal dust. The overall prevalence of asthma, wheeze
and other respiratory illnesses, the severity of asthma amongst those
having asthma, daily self-reported ill health and overall rates of GP
consultations were similar in open cast and control communities. However,
GP consultations for respiratory skin and eye conditions were higher
in open cast than in control communities for 4 pairs of communities
during the core study period. Associations between daily PM10 levels
and health outcomes were frequently positive, but not always significantly
so. The magnitude of the effect was similar in open cast and control
communities, and with those seen in previous studies with PM10 pollution
from point sources or general urban background. The study concluded
by recommending a framework to direct scoping and assessment in the
planning process. Members' attention was drawn to the questions at paragraph
15 of COMEAP/99/14 and asked to consider the draft statement appended
at Annex B.
25. The Committee agreed
that the study was of a high standard, and with the main finding of
the report that open cast coal mining was associated with a small increase
in the mean concentration of airborne particles measured as PM10 in
areas close to open cast sites. Members were in agreement with the authors
that this was due to an increased concentration of shale rather than
soot.
26. It was agreed that the
respiratory health of children living in communities close to open cast
sites was very similar to that of children living in communities distant
from such sites. Members noted that overall, the number of consultations
made to general practitioners was similar for children who lived close
to open cast sites compared with those who did not. It was agreed that
there was a small increase in consultations for respiratory, skin and
eye conditions in those living close to open cast sites in four of the
five pairs of communities studied. While this increase was statistically
significant, the average number of consultations in the communities
close to and distant from open cast sites was small as was the difference
between these consultation rates. In the absence of other evidence of
effects it was not possible to be certain that these differences were
due to open cast operations. Members commented that in the fifth pair
of communities consultation rates were lowest in the community close
to an open cast site but these data were excluded because of the relatively
few records available.
27. It was commented that
the levels of smoking were similar in opencast and control communities.
The Committee noted that the increase in particle concentrations close
to open cast sites was not due to the release of coal particles but
was more likely due to earth moving and excavation. From a planning
perspective, the composition of the overburden is likely to be important:
shale, for example, is less likely to have an effect on health than
quartz. However, such increments in exposure to these materials as may
occur in local communities as a result of open cast mining operations
are most unlikely to have any detectable effects on health. Nevertheless,
the Committee recommended that efforts should continue to be made to
control the emission of particles from open cast sites.
28. It was noted that the
study considered only children and therefore was not an all embracing
study of the effects of open cast coal mining upon health. The Committee
acknowledged that the short-term effects on children's respiratory health
seen in this study were small. It was noted that though the study only
covered children, Members felt that from what was known of the long-term
effects of coal mining on the health of coalminers, it was most unlikely
that open cast sites would have any long-term effects on the health
of local communities. However, the Committee recommended that as a precautionary
measure, the modifications to the planning process suggested by the
authors be considered by the relevant planning authorities and be incorporated
in minerals planning guidance.
ITEM 7. TECHNOLOGIES FOR REDUCING EMISSIONS FROM MOTOR VEHICLES. COMEAP/99/15
29. Mr Hurley declared a non-personal interest in this item.
30. The Chairman welcomed
Dr Claire Holman who gave a short resumé of the report she had
prepared for DH on technologies for reducing emissions from motor vehicles.
This had been circulated as COMEAP/99/15. It was explained that over
the last 30 years there had been major advances in technology with the
result that vehicle emissions were now a few percent less than they
had been prior to the 1970s. The various types of vehicles, exhaust
after-treatments and current types of fuel that are available at the
present time and that had enabled these advances to be made, were described.
This included the advantages and disadvantages of petrol- versus diesel-fuelled
vehicles, descriptions of current catalyst technology and next generation
technology for emissions control, and the effects of various types of
fuel additives on emissions. Members' comments and questions were welcomed.
31. There was some discussion
about the types of traps and catalysts used to reduce emissions. In
reply to a query about catalysts and traps that contained zeolite, which
was known to be potent carcinogen, it was pointed out that only fibrous
zeolite was a carcinogen, and that this was not used in these types
of applications. It was acknowledged that modern traps and catalysts,
and sometimes, fuel itself, contained metals that were released into
the atmosphere. These included platinum, palladium, rhodium, copper,
barium, tungsten, cerium, vanadium and manganese. Reference was made
to a Geological Survey meeting at which it had emerged that the levels
of platinum salts near roundabouts and gardens near to busy roads had
been rising. The Secretariat reminded Members that some years ago, Professor
George Kazantzis had given a presentation on this issue. It had emerged
that although platinum salts were released into the environment, they
were not the salts known to cause allergies. Members commented that
if the chloride salt of platinum was released, this could be a problem,
since these salts were strong mutagens, and in a case control study
exposure to metal dust was associated with cryptogenic fibrosing alveolitis.
A point was also made about the concerns that some metals might be involved
in the mechanism of action of particles, particlularly ultrafine particles
which could be of concern with engines that produced such particles.
However, it was noted that legislation was being introduced to deal
with this problem by requiring the fitting of particle traps.
32. The Secretariat concluded
the discussion by informing Members that the COMEAP was committed to
giving an opinion on the possible effects on health of adding MTBE to
petrol, and that the Blue Ribbon Panel had recently produced a report
on this. This would be circulated to Members before the end of the year.
[ACTION: Secretariat]
ITEM 8. COMEAP UPDATE REPORT ON AIR POLLUTANTS. COMEAP/99/16
33. The Secretariat reported
that pressure of work in the Air Pollution Unit had led to a reassignment
of business priorities that had affected the progress of this report.
A working group meeting had been held in September (attention was drawn
to the tabled draft note) which had proposed that:
(i) the draft report on
mechanisms of action of air pollutants should be retained but as an
internal and unpublished report. It would be drawn on to help to interpret
the epidemiology data which would be covered in the published report;
(ii) the review of chamber studies of air pollutants should be truncated.
A summary report highlighting only key advances would be prepared
by staff at DH;
(iii) the work being undertaken at St George's Hospital on the epidemiology
was important, should continue and should form the core of the report.
It was noted that this was, in fact, a completely new look at the
epidemiology, and that, therefore, the report should no longer be
regarded as an "Update". It was proposed that this section
of the work should be published in a peer-reviewed journal and as
a Stationery Office report;
(iv) the review of the effects of long-term exposure to air pollutants
should be completed and presented to COMEAP in early 2000, when a
decision on possible publication would be taken.
34. Members agreed that these
proposals were sensible, but expressed some disappointment that the
final report might not contain a self-contained chapter on mechanisms;
there was some concern that the importance of mechanisms might be downplayed,
and it was also noted that for particles, much of the new information
was in terms of mechanisms. However, it was also noted that the forthcoming
EPAQS report on particles would be considering mechanisms of particles.
It was suggested that it might be helpful to include an Appendix summarising
the previous reports, and then drawing attention to the main new developments.
The Secretariat agreed that it would be possible to produce a short,
but heavily referenced Appendix of this nature.
ITEM 9. PAPERS FOR INFORMATION
9.1 COC Statement on Carcinogenicity of Ozone. COMEAP/99/17
35. The COC statement on
carcinogenicity of ozone, now available on the COC website, was circulated
for information. It was explained that there was some evidence that
ozone should be regarded as genotoxic but that lung tumours only occurred
in mice at levels of ozone above those that were known to damage lung
tissue. The COC's conclusions therefore suggested that the mechanism
of carcinogenicity remained uncertain at the present time. It was noted
that further work was underway and that this might be considered by
the COC in due course. The issue was also likely to be considered by
COMEAP as part of the planned air pollution and cancer report.
9.2 CONCAWE Report: Overview and Critique of the Air Pollution and
Health: a European Approach (APHEA) Project
36. The CONCAWE Report prepared
by Dr Lesley Rushton had been circulated for Members' information. It
was not discussed because Professor Ross Anderson, who had been closely
involved in the APHEA project was not present at the meeting. The Secretariat
commented that many of the criticisms made in the CONCAWE report would
be addressed by the second phase of the APHEA project.
ITEM 10. ANY OTHER BUSINESS
10.1 Supplementary Funding for Air Pollution Research
37. It was noted that the
bids received for funding under the July call for proposals were of
an extremely high quality and that a total of 9 bids had been successful.
The successful applicants were being notified by IEH. The bids for a
larger research programme were still with Ministers.
10.2 Appointments
38. The Secretariat commented
that the terms of appointment of 5 current Members were due to end in
June 2000. The Department would, therefore, be advertising later in
the year for new members to fill these vacancies.
10.3 Members' Interests
39. It was noted that the Secretariat would be in contact with Members
later in the month asking them to update their interests in order that
a new register of interests could be made operative from 1 January. The
Secretariat noted that it was important that Members complied within the
time set. The Secretariat also suggested that, in line with other DH Committees,
the register of interests would be placed on the COMEAP website.
[ACTION: Secretariat, Members]
10.4 Impact of Devolution
40. Members were informed
that due to the setting up of the Scottish Parliament, the Welsh Assembly
and the arrangements for Northern Ireland, an internal review of the
relationship between the Department of Health and the devolved administrations
in terms of their relationship with COMEAP had taken place. It was thought
that at the very least, devolution would lead to a change in the Committee's
terms of reference in order to reflect these new relationships. However,
it seemed unlikely that there would be any direct impact on the working
of the Committee compared with that which had applied in the past. The
benefits of a formal written constitution to clarify the operation of
the Committee were being considered.
ITEM 11. DATES OF FUTURE MEETINGS
41. The following dates were noted:
Friday 18 February 2000
Friday 16 June 2000.
42. It was commented that
the proposed date for the October meeting (Friday 20 October 2000) coincided
with the International Congress of Allergy and Clinical Immunology meeting
in Sydney and that several Members might be attending this meeting.
Therefore it was agreed that this meeting should take place on Friday
3 November 2000.
43. After some further discussion,
it was also agreed that the final meeting of the Committee in each year
should take place on the first Friday of November, rather than the third
Friday of October as had previously been the case. This would avoid
the half term holiday.
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