§ Mr. BerminghamTo ask the Secretary of State for Employment what progress has been made on proposals for legislation to control the release of genetically engineered organisms into the environment to replace the current system of voluntary guidelines; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. NichollsThere is already legislation which controls in various ways the planned release of genetically manipulated organisms into the environment. This includes the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 and a number of other Acts, the administration of which falls to 619W several Government Departments but prior notification is often voluntary. I am informed by the chairman of the Health and Safety Commission that further to publication of a consultative document in 1987, he expects to submit to my right hon. Friend legislative proposals to make it compulsory in all cases by the middle of this year.
The United Kingdom is also participating in negotiations on a European Community directive on this subject.