HC Deb 23 October 1986 vol 102 cc982-4W
Mr. Freeson

asked the Secretary of State for Social Services (1) if he will make publicly available all the documentary comments on the report on the "Safety and Wholesomeness of Irradiated Foods" by the advisory committee on irradiated and novel foods which have been submitted to date to his Department for consideration; and if he will make a statement;

(2) how many comments he has had from (a) individuals and (b) organisations on the report on the "Safety and Wholesomeness of Irradiated Foods" by the advisory committee on irradiated and novel foods published on 10 April; if he will list the organisations concerned; and if he will state what proportion of the comments were broadly in favour or against the report's recommendations;

(3) if he is now in a position to announce his conclusions on the findings contained in the report on the "Safety and Wholesomeness of Irradiated Foods" by the advisory committee on irradiated and novel foods; and if he will make a statement.

Mrs. Currie

Around 4,600 individuals and 117 organisations have commented. A summary of comments will be given to the advisory committee on irradiated and novel foods in December. Health and Agriculture Ministers will consider the report in the light of any further advice from the committee.

We do not intend, following standard practice, to publish all the thousands of comments received on the report, most of which raise similar points in similar terms. When making our views known, we will, however, also make available a summary of the main issues raised.

The majority of letters from individuals voice concern as to the safety of the process. Organisations offer varied views according to interest and scientific background. Common to all is the desire for effective and enforceable controls of the process and that irradiated food should be clearly labelled. Several point out the dangers of active organisms in food and their risks to health which might be diminished following irradiation.

The list of the organisations is as follows:

  • Agricultural and Food Research Council, Institute of Food Research
  • Association of British Abattoir Owners Ltd.
  • Association of District Councils
  • Association of London Authorities
  • Association of Metropolitan Authorities
  • Association of Public Analysts
  • Association of Sea and Air Port Health Authorities
  • Avon County Council
  • Bakers, Food and Allied Workers Union
  • Ballymoney Borough Council
  • Bradford City Metropolitan Council
  • British Association for Holistic Health
  • British Food Manufacturing Industries Research Association
  • British Holistic Medical Association
  • British Housewives League
  • Brighton and Hove Consumer Group
  • British Retailers Association
  • British Veterinary Association
  • Burntwood Environment Group
  • Cambridge Health Authority
  • Campden Food Preservation Research Association
  • Cancer Help Centre—Bristol
  • Catering Industries Liaison Council
  • College of Homoeopathy
  • Consumers Association
  • Consumers in the European Community Group (UK)
  • Co-operative Union Ltd.
  • Convention of Scottish Local Authorities
  • Coventry Environmental Health and Consumers Services Department
  • Creamery Proprietors Association
  • South Cumbria Community Health Council
  • Dairy Crest Foods
  • East Birmingham Pensioners
  • Faculty of Community Medicine
  • Farm and Food Society
  • Federation of Agricultural Co-operatives (UK) Ltd
  • Food and Drink Federation
  • General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland
  • General Foods Ltd
  • Green Party
  • Gwent County Council
  • Gwent District Council's Association
  • Haringey Borough Consumer Protection Service
  • Hertfoldshire County Council
  • Hyperactive Children's Support Group, Littlehampton
  • Institute of Food Science and Technology
  • Institute of Health Food Retailing
  • Institution of Mechanical Engineers
  • Institute of Trading Standards Administration
  • Isle of Wight County Council
  • Isotron PLC
  • Ken Bell (International) Ltd
  • Labour Party—Abergavenny
  • Labour Party—Carmarthen
  • Labour Party—Coventry North West
  • Labour Party—Llanfrechea
  • Labour Party—Monmouth
  • Labour Party—North Colchester
  • Lancashire County Council
  • League of Jewish Women
  • Lewisham Pensioners' Action Group
  • Liverpool Central and Southern Community Health 984 Council
  • Local Authorities Co-ordinating Body on Trading Standards (LACOTS)
  • London Fruiterers' and Florists Association Ltd.
  • Low Moor and Oakenshaw Community Association
  • Meat and Livestock Commission
  • Milk Marketing Board
  • Mushroom Growers' Association
  • National Cold Storage Federation
  • National Consumer Council
  • National Council of Women of Great Britain
  • National Farmers' Union
  • National Federation of Consumer Groups
  • National Federation of Fishmongers Ltd.
  • National Federation of Meat Traders
  • National Federation of Wholesale Poultry Merchants
  • National Federation of Women's Institutes (and local groups)
  • National Housewives Association Ltd.
  • Neath Borough Council
  • Nestle Co. Ltd.
  • Northern Health and Social Services Board (NI)
  • North Gwent Community Health Council
  • North Staffordshire Health Authority
  • North Tees Community Health Council
  • Nottinghamshire County Council
  • Ottery St. Mary Locality Planning Team
  • Oxford Environmental Health Department
  • Pembrokeshire Community Health Council
  • Quo-Tee Ltd.
  • Retail Consortium
  • Retail Fruit Trade Federation Ltd.
  • Retail Fruit Federation (Manchester and District Branch)
  • RHM Research Ltd.
  • Royal Environmental Health Institute of Scotland
  • Royal Society of Health
  • Ryedale District Council
  • Salford Environmental Health and Control Department
  • Scottish Consumer Council
  • Sheffield Environmental Health and Consumer Services Department
  • Society of Chemical Industry
  • Soroptimist International of Rhondda and District
  • Southwark Public Protection Department
  • Spice Trade Association
  • Stepping Hill Hospital, Dietetic Department, Stockport
  • Swansea City Council
  • Swansea Valley—Friends of the Earth
  • Tesco Stores Ltd.
  • Totton and Eling Community Association
  • Townswomen's Guild—local groups
  • UK Federation of Business and Professional Women
  • Viritech Ltd.
  • Welsh Consumer Council
  • Welsh Counties Committee
  • Welshpool Women's Liberal Association
  • Whole Earth Foods Ltd
  • Women's Farming Union—West Midlands Branch
  • Worthing Children's Helpline