Earl Baldwin of Bewdleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
How many letters they have received since 1 July from:
- (a) Members of either House; and
- (b) others
in relation to the proposed restrictions on the retail sale of Vitamin B6; and how many and what percentage of those representations have supported the new restrictions. [HL138]
§ Lord DonoughueSince the beginning of July 1997 the Government have received approximately 1,300 letters from Members of either House and approximately 10,200 from others concerning their proposed controls on dietary supplements containing Vitamin B6. Many of these have been in the form of standard letters. No separate record has been kept of those supporting or opposing the proposed controls. However, almost all of the letters received have either opposed, questioned the basis of, or expressed reservations about the proposed controls.
Earl Baldwin of Bewdleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
When they expect to publish the draft statutory instrument relating to the proposed new restrictions on the retail sale of Vitamin B6 supplements; and what steps they intend to take:
[HL139]65WA
- (a) to consult about; and
- (b) to provide for debate on that draft prior to its formal laying before the House.
§ Lord DonoughueThe regulations which will implement the Government's proposals to restrict the level of Vitamin B6 in food supplements are presently being drafted. We hope to circulate them, together with a regulatory appraisal (including a compliance cost assessment) for consultation in February. No final decisions have yet been taken on the scope or the timescale for the consultation.
We will consider carefully all representations about the draft regulations received prior to their laying before Parliament.
Earl Baldwin of Bewdleyasked Her Majesty's Government:
Whether they will list the qualified nutritionists who have written to them supporting the proposed restrictions on the retail sale of Vitamin B6 supplements. [HL140]
§ Lord DonoughueNo assessment has been made of whether individuals who have written to the Government about the proposed controls on food supplements containing Vitamin B6 could be regarded as experts in nutrition.