§ Lord Pearson of Rannochasked Her Majesty's Government:
What consideration is being' given in which committees of the European Commission to proposals which might affect complementary, alternative or herbal medicines in the United Kingdom; and what effect might such consideration have in the foreseeable future on those who produce such medicines.
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Baroness Cumberlege)We are unaware of any such consideration. The Council of Health Ministers adopted a resolution on 30 November calling on the European Commission to undertake a study of public health safeguards for medicinal plant preparations in the member states, but we do not yet know how the Commission will respond to it nor what discussion will result. A copy of the resolution has been placed in the Library.