§ Mr. Deputy Speaker (Sir Alan Haselhurst)Order. There is further business to complete. Will hon. Members who are not staying please leave quickly and quietly?
§ Mr. McLoughlinI wish to present a petition collected by Mr. Parker in Ashbourne and its surrounding areas.
The petition states:
The Petition of consumers for health choices and it supportersDeclares that consumers in the UK have for many years maintained good health by choosing to take safe vitamin and mineral supplements and herbal remedies; and fears that the European food supplements directive and the proposed European directive on traditional herbal and medicinal products would severely restrict the number and range of such products on general retail sale in the future.The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons requires that the Secretary of State for Health does all in his power to protect the rights of UK consumers by ensuring that such European legislation does not unnecessarily and unacceptably restrict the availability of natural health products.And the Petitioners remain, etc.
§ To lie upon the Table.