§ Mr. Alan SimpsonTo ask the Secretary of State for Transport, Local Government and the Regions what information on genetically modified organisms research is available on the public register; and what categories have been removed. [35075]
§ Dr. WhiteheadI have made a direction that the information concerning the location of and activities relating to those pathogens and toxins listed in Schedule 5 33W of the Anti-Terrorism, Crime and Security Act 2001 shall be withheld from the register maintained under section 24 of the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000.
This is a sensible precautionary step in the current situation. It is a temporary measure which will keep off the register information which is sensitive on the grounds of national security. A system of annual reviews will be put in place to consider information excluded from the register, with the aim of keeping to a minimum information which has to be excluded in the interests of national security. The measure will affect only a small number of the contained use premises and activities notified under the Genetically Modified Organisms (Contained Use) Regulations 2000.
Premises where activities involving genetic modification are to be carried out and activities which are classified as having some risk to humans or the environment have to be notified to the competent authority under the regulations.
It is important to note that the action of withholding information from the register would not affect the arrangements in place to ensure the safety and security of the sites and materials concerned.
The public register was re-opened this morning. It contains all the information about notified activities except that relating to activities withdrawn from the register because of the direction. The register includes a list of these excluded pathogens and toxins but no details of the activities or their locations.