§ 11. Sir Sydney Chapman (Chipping Barnet)When he expects the Ministerial Group on Biotechnology and Genetic Modification to complete its examination of the United Kingdom framework for overseeing the technology. [75367]
§ The Minister for the Cabinet Office (Dr. Jack Cunningham)Officials have now completed the consultation stage of the examination of existing advice and control and will be reporting to Ministers shortly.
§ Sir Sydney ChapmanThe right hon. Gentleman has already refuted extensive reports in Sunday newspapers that the Government have agreed a three-year moratorium 1113 on the planting of GM crops. Given the extent of those reports, was that just another spin-doctoring exercise? Given the recent announcement by the Sainsbury's group—an eclectic family if ever there were one—when will the Government accept the representations made by my right hon. Friend the Leader of the Opposition as long ago as 3 February that a three-year moratorium should be announced?
§ Dr. CunninghamLet me make it clear that there is no secret deal between the Government and the industry in respect of genetically modified crops; nor has one been sought, and nor is any such deal under discussion. The Government are not offering any favours to the industry and I cannot make the position any clearer. We have no intention either of accepting the remarkably absurd suggestion by the Leader of the Opposition that we should bring our bio-sciences and GM programmes to a complete halt with a universal moratorium.