HC Deb 22 June 1999 vol 333 c316W
Mr. Baker

To ask the hon. Member for Middlesbrough, representing the Church Commissioners, what his policy is in respect of the use of church land to grow trial genetically modified crops. [87608]

Mr. Stuart Bell

The issue of whether Government trials of genetically modified crops should take place on land owned by the Commissioners is being initially considered by the Church's Ethical Investment Working Group (EIWG), which develops a co-ordinated ethical investment policy for the Church. The EIWG is made up of representatives of each of the central Church investing bodies and the General Synod's Board for Social Responsibility.