HC Deb 26 October 1998 vol 318 cc12-3W
Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many HSE inspectors inspect facilities registered under the regulations covering the contained use of genetically modified organisms. [56327]

Mr. Meacher

Three HSE Specialist Inspectors inspect contained use facilities throughout the UK. These Inspectors are experts in work involving genetic modification, and specifically cover biological safety and environmental issues. Other HSE Inspectors have responsibility for health and safety issues not related to work involving genetic modification.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions what is the total number of facilities registered as using genetically modified organisms in classes IA, IB, IIB including those registered(a) before and (b) after the introduction of the contained use regulations in 1992. [56329]

Mr. Meacher

I regret that I am unable to supply the information in the form requested. Prior to the introduction of the contained use regulations work was not broken down into group I/II or type A/B. A meaningful comparison would require extensive work in searching old files at disproportionate cost.

However, I can supply information on the number of facilities notified for Group I and II work. The number of premises currently notified, including those notified prior to the current Contained Use Regulations, is 275 for Group I work and 196 for Group II work. Furthermore, 34 of these premises have notified, at some time, their intention of performing large scale work.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions if the HSE undertakes regular monitoring of the adequacy of containment in each class of genetically modified organisms; and if the findings are publicly available. [56331]

Mr. Meacher

HSE inspects premises undertaking activities with all types of genetically modified organisms. The monitoring of the adequacy of containment is an integral part of each HSE inspection. Effective containment relies on a combination of both physical and procedural measures, and the inspection process seeks to ensure that the control measures implemented are appropriate to the level of risk.

Information relating to environmental safety is available on request under the terms of the Environmental Information Regulations 1992.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions how many person hours per year HSE inspectors spend on(a) inspection of facilities registered under the regulations covering the contained use of genetically modified organisms and (b) other duties. [56328]

Mr. Meacher

In the current inspection year(a) A total of 1,665 person hours (225 days) are planned for active inspection of facilities registered under regulations covering contained use of genetically modified organisms. and; (b) A total of 2,686 person hours (363 days) will be spent on other duties related to the safe use of genetically modified organisms, including preparation of technical guidance and scrutiny of notifications.

Mr. Baker

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions when he intends to establish the environmental stakeholders forum; what will be the membership; what the terms of reference will be; whether the agendas and minutes will be published; and if he will make a statement. [56655]

Mr. Meacher

At the House of Lords Select Committee on 21 October I announced my intention to consider the calls from both sides of the GMO debate for an environmental stakeholder's forum to discuss and advise on environmental issues raised by biotechnology which would work in parallel with the Advisory Committee on Releases to the Environment. The timing, membership and the terms of reference have not yet been decided, and I will be discussing these with my colleagues in other Government Departments, before consulting all interested parties on our proposals.

I envisage that this forum's membership would include representatives of conservation bodies, public interest groups, plant breeders and farmers. The terms of reference of the forum need to be clarified, but I envisage that the point of the stakeholder's forum would be to tackle the wider environmental issues by allowing those key stakeholders with an interest in GMOs to conduct a well informed debate. It is very important that there is wide public access to agendas, minutes and reports.