§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will give biographical details of each of the members of his consumer panel, including their involvement with particular organisations.
§ Mr. GummerThe information requested has been published in a Food Safety Directorate press release issued today. A copy has been sent to the hon. Member.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the organisations which submitted names of individuals to him to serve on the consumer panel.
§ Mr. GummerThe following organisations were invited to submit names of individuals to serve on the consumer panel: Consumers Association, Consumers in the European Community Group, the National Consumer Council, the General Consumer Council for Northern Ireland, the Scottish Consumers Council and the Welsh Consumers Council.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many individuals' names were submitted to him to serve on his consumer panel.
§ Mr. GummerNine people were appointed to serve on the consumer panel—all nine names were submitted by the organisations which were requested to make nominations.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will publish the contact addresses for the individuals represented on his consumer panel.
§ Mr. GummerThe panel secretariat is the contact point for requests for interviews and further information.
§ Dr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what criteria he used in selecting the individuals to serve on his consumer panel.
§ Mr. GummerThe criteria for selecting individuals to serve on the panel were that they should be able to represent the views and concerns of ordinary consumers. They have been nominated by consumer organisations but they serve in an individual capacity and do not represent any particular organisation.