§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what assessment he has made of(a) the legality of maintaining the ban on beef on the bone in England and (b) the scientific advice he has received on the subject. [95772]
§ Ms Quin[holding answer 26 October 1999]: The Beef Bones Regulations 1997 were properly made under the powers of the Food Safety Act 1990 and remain in force throughout Great Britain until revoked.
My right hon. Friend the Minister considered carefully the advice given to him by the Chief Medical Officer, Professor Donaldson, in his report of 30 July 1999, a copy of which has been placed in the Library of the House. The Government have made clear they wish to lift the beef on the bone ban but consider that it would be preferable to do so at the same time in all parts of the United Kingdom. Further scientific evidence on this issue is scheduled for later this month. Provided that evidence is favourable, it is the Government's clear and firm intention, and that of the First Minister in Scotland and the First Secretary in Wales, to lift the ban throughout the United Kingdom.