§ Sir David SteelTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what assessment her Department has made of whether the principles set out in the World Health Organisation's international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes should apply to the United Kingdom.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe United Kingdom supported the adoption of this World Health Organisation code, by the World Health Assembly in 1981, as the recommended basis for action in member states. The Government have consistently supported breastfeeding as the best means of feeding a baby, and this is reflected in our policies and initiatives to promote and protect breastfeeding. We have also taken steps to restrict the advertising and promotion of baby milks in the Infant Formula and Follow-on Formula Regulations 1995 which came into force on 1 March 1995. The regulations implement the relevant European Community legislation which is firmly based on the principles and aims of the WHO international code of marketing of breast milk substitutes. The new regulations give a statutory basis to the restrictions on advertising in place since 1983 under the voluntary agreement with the baby milk manufacturers.