§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science by what authority Sir Gordon Wolstenholme has banned TUC representatives from the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Group, and for what reasons; what approaches she has received from the TUC on this matter; what was the nature of her reply; and whether she will make a statement.
§ Mrs. Shirley WilliamsI understand that the Genetic Manipulation Advisory Group decided on 16th December 1977 for an experimental period of six months to follow a special procedure for examining any proposal for genetic manipulation which the originator considers to be of particular commercial sensitivity. Under this procedure, such a proposal would, providing the Chairman agreed that it justified special handling, be circulated only to, and considered by, those members of the group who had no conflicting interest and who had signed a declaration of confidentiality. The procedure will be reviewed before the end of the experimental period and most proposals will continue to be considered by the full group. Members of the group nominated by the TUC abstained from voting on the adoption of this procedure and have not so far signed the declaration of confidentiality.
I have received no approach from the TUC on this matter.