HL Deb 06 April 1998 vol 588 cc92-3WA
Earl Baldwin of Bewdley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether they have had any recent discussions with representatives of the United States Government about the work of the American National Academy of Science: and whether they have made any assessment of its current investigation into the safety of Vitamin B6. [HL1268]

Lord Donoughue

We are aware that the United States National Academy of Sciences is undertaking a review of B vitamins, including Vitamin B6. Officials have confirmed in correspondence with the Office of the United States Trade Representative in Washington that if further data on the safety of vitamin B6 becomes available during the current consultation exercise on the draft regulations required to implement the proposed controls on dietary supplements containing Vitamin B6 it will be taken into account by the Government. We have not discussed the issue with representatives of the United States Government, nor have we made any assessment of the National Academy of Sciences investigation, the results of which have yet to be published.

Earl Baldwin of Bewdley

asked Her Majesty's Government:

Whether their draft statutory instrument on the retail sale of Vitamin B6 supplements has yet been passed for comment to the European Commission and to other member states of the European Union. [HL1269]

Lord Donoughue

A copy of the draft regulations required to implement the proposed controls on dietary supplements containing Vitamin B6 was sent to the European Commission on 2 April. It is the responsibility of the Commission to inform other member states of the European Union of the notification.