§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (1) what is the process by which appointments of consumer representatives to Government food committees are made; [42130]
(2) which commercial head-hunting firms have been used in the process of appointing consumer representatives to Government food advisory committees (a) currently and (b) in previous years; what has been the cost to the public purse; and if he will make a statement; [42131]
(3) on what grounds the steering group on chemical aspects of food surveillance is being closed down; and if he will make a statement. [42132]
§ Mr. Douglas HoggI shall write to the hon. Member.
§ Dr. StrangTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food on how many occasions in the last three years individuals on MAFF and Department of Health advisory committees and working parties on food and health-related committees have declined to declare vested interests when asked to do so, whether on a voluntary basis or a compulsory basis. [42128]
§ Mr. HoggNo member of a food-related advisory committee for which declaration of interest is required has declined to make such a declaration in the last three years. This policy is now being extended on a voluntary basis to all working parties on surveillance; a query in one of the working parties has now been resolved and all interests will be declared.