HC Deb 18 May 1988 vol 133 cc486-7W
71. Mr. Lofthouse

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he will make it his policy to require public hearings and independent scientific review for each proposed environmental release of genetically engineered micro-organisms in the United Kingdom

74. Mr. McCartney

To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment if he has any plans to change United Kingdom regulatory provisions for the control of the release of genetically engineered micro-organisms to the environment.

Mr. Moynihan

The Royal Commission on environmental pollution is currently reviewing the area of release of genetically engineered organisms and expects to report by early next year. The Government will be considering what changes, if any, are required to existing arrangements in the light of this advice. In the meantime the Health and Safety Executive has published a consultative paper on the review of the Health and Safety at Work (Genetic Manipulation) Regulations 1978 which proposes the compulsory notification to the Health and Safety Executive of planned releases to the environment.

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