§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the Government's position on the European Commission's draft directive on the marketing and composition of infant formulae and follow-up foods.
§ Mr. DorrellDuring the negotiations on this important draft directive, which are now nearing completion, the Government have unequivocally supported the adoption of strict compositional standards for these products so as to secure the health and safety of bottle-fed infants. In addition, we have been pressing, and will continue to press, for amendments to the text of the draft directive to align it more closely with the World Health Organisation's international code of marketing of breastmilk substitutes. The Government remain committed to promoting and protecting breastfeeding as the best means of nurturing infants.