§ Mr. David ClarkTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of the adequacy for consumers of current regulations for the labelling of bottled mineral water; and whether he has raised this issue with his consumer panel.
§ Mr. GummerThe labelling and marketing of natural mineral waters is harmonised in the EC by the natural mineral waters directive (80/777) and implemented in the UK by the Natural Mineral Waters Regulations 1985. The EC Commission is currently reviewing the operation of the directive and some time ago we passed to it comments on improvements in labelling. We expect the Commission to propose amendments to the directive. When these are received we will consult UK interests, including consumer organisations. I will at that time assess the need to consult the consumer panel as well; in the meantime it is always open for a member of the panel to raise any relevant issues with me.