Advisory Committee on Release to the Environment

HC Deb 18 March 1997 vol 292 cc519-20W

Mr. Meacher

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will list the dates of, and attendees at, the meetings of his Department's release committee since its inception; what matters were discussed at each meeting; and if he will place in the Library copies of the agendas and papers discussed at each meeting. [20759]

Mr. Gummer

The Advisory Committee on Release to the Environment—ACRE—has been meeting several times a year since its inception as a statutory committee in 1993. I will write shortly to the hon. Gentleman with a list of dates of meetings, and attendees at the meetings. However, a description of the matters which were discussed at each meeting could be compiled only at disproportionate expense. It would be impracticable to place in the Library copies of the agendas and papers discussed at each meeting, but the advice provided by ACRE on consent application for the release and marketing of genetically modified organisms, together with key papers, is maintained in a public register at the Department of the Environment offices in Romney house, Marsham street, London.