§ Mr. Simon HughesTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now establish a register of interests for members of Government expert advisory committees.
§ Mr. MacleanThe interests which members of the Veterinary Products Committee have in the pharmaceuti-cal industry are published each year in its annual report of which copies are in the Library. Independent members of the Advisory Committee on Pesticides are currently appointed on the basis that they have no interests in the pesticides industry. But in order to widen the pool of expertise available we are now considering replacing this restriction by the introduction of a system based on a register of declared interests. We are considering this issue in relation to other committees advising on food safety matters, but have not reached a conclusion.