§ Dr. CableTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from(a) consumers, (b) retailers, (c) manufacturers, (d) experts on nutrition and (e) right hon. and hon. Members about his proposals to restrict the retail sale of vitamin B6 supplements; how many and what percentage of those representations have opposed his proposals; what response he has made to those representations; and if he will make a statement. [23514]
§ Mr. RookerSince the beginning of July 1997, the Government have received approximately 11,500 items of correspondence, many in standard form, concerning its proposed controls on food supplements containing vitamin B6. Of those, approximately 1,300 have been received from right hon. and hon. Members. No separate record has been kept of the number of representations received from consumers, retailers, manufacturers and experts on nutrition. Nor has any record been kept of the number of representations received which oppose the proposed controls. However, almost all of the letters received have opposed, questioned the basis of, or expressed reservations about the proposed controls.
The Government's response to these representations will have varied according to the nature of the representation received, but in most cases it will have included an explanation of the background to the issue and a statement of the Government's policy on it.
The Minister for Public Health and I have met with representatives of certain organisations representing consumers, manufacturers and retailers of dietary supplements and of complementary medicine interests to discuss the proposed controls. I have also met with a number of right hon. and hon. Members to listen to their concerns about this subject.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the main findings of the compliance cost assessment recently undertaken in connection with the proposed statutory instrument relating to new restrictions on the retail sale of vitamin B6 supplements; and what estimate was made of the cost to the National Health Service of consumers being required to obtain higher dose vitamin B6 supplements from a medical practitioner. [23513]
568W
§ Mr. RookerThe compliance cost assessment relating to the Government's proposals on food supplements containing vitamin B6 is still being prepared. The assessment will form part of the regulatory appraisal which, together with the draft regulations, will be circulated for consultation.
It is impossible to estimate the number of people who regularly take any dose of vitamin B6. Therefore, it is not possible to assess the resource implication for the NHS if the number of people seeking higher doses of vitamin B6 were to consult their general medical practitioner.
§ Dr. CableTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the period for consulting with interested parties on the forthcoming draft statutory instrument on the retail sale of vitamin B6; and if he will make a statement specifying the criteria by which he will assess the responses to that consultation exercise. [23516]
§ Mr. RookerWe hope to issue the draft regulation and the regulatory appraisal for consultation in February. No final decision has yet been taken on the duration of the consultation period. We will consider responses on their merits.