Written Answers of 25 September 1992

AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD

  Genetically Modified Organisms
  Mr. Tredinnick
  To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how he intends to respond to ethical concerns over the use of genetically modified organisms as food.

  Mr. Gummer
  I have asked the Reverend John Polkinghorne, president of Queen's College Cambridge, to chair a study into this and various related issues. The other members of the group will be Professor Derek Burke, vice chancellor of the University of East Anglia, Professor Brian Heap, director of research at the AFRC Institute of Animal Physiology and Genetic Research, Mrs. Harriet Kimbell, vice-chairman of the Consumers Association, Mr. Richard Callaghan, controller of ASDA's technical division and the Reverend Arthur Peacocke, formerly warden of the Society of Ordained Scientists.

  The study's terms of reference will be:
  to consider future trends in the production of transgenic organisms; to consider the moral and ethical concerns (other than those relating to food safety) that may arise from the use of food products derived from production programmes involving such organisms; and to make recommendations.

  Recently, we have seen significant developments towards the use of genetic modification in food production. This technology has the potential to benefit farmers, food producers and consumers by extending the range, quality and types of food available. However, the Government are also aware that these developments raise ethical and moral concerns.

  Therefore, we thought it right to give early consideration to these issues. The new advisory group will consider likely future trends in the use of genetic modification in food production and the concerns that might arise from the consumption of food from such programmes, and recommend how those concerns might be addressed.

  I believe that the issues with which the committee is concerned need to be widely debated and I know the study
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  team will be inviting views from all interested groups and individuals. I have asked the study team to report to me within a year.

ENVIRONMENT

  Property Services Agency
  Mr. David Evans
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he intends to offer PSA Projects for sale; and if he will make a statement.

  Mr. Redwood
  [pursuant to his reply, 22 May 1992, c. 273]: I hope to exchange contracts with the selected bidder for PSA Projects shortly. Parliamentary approval of new expenditure on the main sale expenses will be sought in a winter supplementary estimate for the Property Services Agency of the Department of the Environment: PSA Services Vote—class VIII, vote 12. However, since completion may take place before the House has voted to approve the supplementary estimate, any money needed to enable the vendor to complete the sale will be met by repayable advances from the contingencies fund.

  County Hall, London
  Mr. Devlin
  To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what factors will be considered in deciding the future of county hall; and when the matter falls to be determined.

  Mr. Howard
  [pursuant to his reply, 24 June 1992, c. 197]: I have today written to the chairman of the London residuary body withdrawing the direction that I issued to that body on 22 July, prohibiting it from taking any steps in relation to the sale or disposal of county hall without first obtaining my consent.

  That direction was issued for the purpose of giving the London School of Economics and Political Science the opportunity of submitting a bid for the county hall site. It was, however, one of the conditions that I agreed with the director of the LSE, before issuing that direction, that any proposal to acquire county hall should be endorsed by the Universities Funding Council as required by the rules that govern universities' property transactions. The Universities Funding Council has written to the LSE today that it did not feel able to endorse its proposal. The Government have therefore concluded that any bid by the LSE for county hall would involve a significant and unacceptable call on public funds.

  COUNTY HALL
  COUNTY HALL