MEMBERS OF THE PHARMACOLOGY SUB-COMMITTEE

HC Deb 29 November 1967 vol 755 cc100-2W

Chairman

Professor A. Kekwick, M.A., M.B., B.Ch., F.R.C.P.—Director of the Institute of Clinical Research and Experimental Medicine, Middlesex Hospital.

Members

• Professor E. Boyland, D.Sc., Ph.D.—Professor of Biochemistry, Chester Beatty Research Institute.
• Professor G. Brownlee, D.Sc., Ph.D.—Professor of Pharmacology, King's College, London, S.E.5. Director, National Poisons Information Service, Guy's Hospital.
• R. Goulding, M.D., B.Sc., M.R.C.P.—Principal Medical Officer of Health, Ministry of Health.
• E. I. Johnson, M.Sc., F.R.I.C.—Deputy Government Chemist.
• J. M. Johnston, C.B.E., M.D., F.R.C.S. (Ed.), F.R.S. (Ed.), F.R.C.P. (Ed.)—Principal Medical Officer, Scottish Home and Health Department.
• P. N. Magee, M.B., B.Ch., M.R.C.S., L.R.C.P.—Member of Medical Research Council Toxicology Research Unit.
• F. J. C. Roe, D.Sc., M.A. (Oxon), D.M., B.M., B.Ch., M.C.Path.—Reader in Experiment of Pathology, Chester Beatty Research Institute.

55. Mr. John Hall

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the statement issued by the British Diabetic Association that diabetics should not consume more than three grams of cyclamate sweeteners a day, a copy of which has been sent to him, he will take steps to ensure that the amount of cyclamate sweetener used in any solid or liquid foodstuff is clearly indicated on the label.

Mr. Hoy

No. The Food Additives and Contaminants Committee took full account of the position of diabetics. My right hon. Friend is satisfied that there are no grounds for treating cyclamates differently from other permitted food additives in regulations about labelling.

57. Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will publish in the OFFICIAL REPORT details of the procedure followed by his Department in assessing the safety of cyclamates and other food additives, both in isolation and in relation to each other.

Mr. Hoy

Yes, I have so arranged. The details are as follows:—

1. It is the practice of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and my right hon. Friend, when wishing to have an appraisal of the possible toxicity of any additive used or proposed for use in food, to seek the advice of the Food Additives and Contaminants Committee.

2. That body in conjunction with the Pharmacology Sub-Committee then examines all the data which are available both in this country and internationally on the use of the substance, taking into account both the need for such a substance to be used in food, the extent to which research into its possible toxicity has been carried out and an evaluation of such research and its findings. In due course the reports by the two bodies together with their recommendations are made to the Minister of Health and my right hon. Friend and to their colleagues responsible for such matters in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The reports and recommendations take into account the total use of the additive and its possible interaction with other additives and constituents of the human diet. A detailed description of the procedure is contained in the "Memorandum on Procedure for Submissions on Food Additives and on Methods of Toxicity Testing" published by H.M.S.O. in 1965.

3. As a general rule, the Committees' reports are published by H.M.S.O., except when the matter is urgent or of only limited interest, when copies are duplicated and are available from the Department. At that stage, comments on the report and its recommendations are invited from interested parties.

4. In the light of the Committees' recommendations and the comments received upon them, the Department after consultation with the Ministry of Health and the responsible departments in Scotland and Northern Ireland advises my right hon. Friend on the need for control over the use of that particular additive in food.

5. If my right hon. Friend accepts their advice and this necessitates legislation under the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, he arranges—as he is required to do under the Act—for organisations representative of the interests which would be affected by such legislation to be consulted about the proposed controls.