§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has consulted the Better Regulation Task Force about the proportionality, enforceability, economic impact and the implications for consistency in public policy of the proposed new restrictions on the retail sale of vitamin B6 supplements; and if he will make a statement. [31608]
§ Mr. RookerWhen the draft regulations required to introduce the proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6 are issued for consultation they will be accompanied by a draft Regulatory Appraisal which takes account of the principles of good regulation published by the Better Regulation Task Force. Those consulted will be able to comment on the information given in the Appraisal.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations he has received from(a) United States senators, (b) right hon. and hon. 498W Members and (c) scientists relating to the proposed new restrictions on the retail sale of vitamin B6; what response he has made; and if he will make a statement [31611]
§ Mr. RookerThe Government have received a single representation, addressed to my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade, from two United States senators on their proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6. Approximately 1,500 letters have been received from right hon. and hon. Members, the majority of which seek replies to points raised by constituents. Of these, approximately 1,300 have been dealt with by this department. No record has been kept of the number of representations from individuals who might be regarded as scientists.
The Government's response to these representations have varied according to the nature of the representation received, but in most casts it will have included an explanation of the background to the issue and a statement of the Government's policy on it.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many of the(a) scientific and (b) other representations on the proposed new restrictions on the retail of vitamin B6 so far received by his Department were copied to (i) the Chairman, (ii) the Secretariat and (iii) the members of the Committee on Toxicity; and what factors determined which of those papers were circulated to each of those groups. [31607]
§ Mr. RookerRepresentations which appear to present new information on the safety of vitamin B6 and are supported by detailed scientific arguments have been copied to the Committee on Toxicity (COT) Secretariat as a matter of course. It is for the COT Secretariat to decide whether such representations contain information that needs to be referred to the Chairman and members of the COT.
No record has been kept of the representations that have been copied to the COT Secretariat.
§ Mr. LuffTo ask the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he expects to publish the draft statutory instrument on the proposed new restrictions on the retail sale of vitamin B6; and with whom he intends to consult about its provisions. [31610]
§ Mr. RookerWe hope to publish the draft regulations required to introduce the proposed controls on dietary supplements containing vitamin B6 shortly. No decision has yet been made on the extent of the consultation exercise. However, organisations representing interests likely to be substantially affected by the regulations will be included.