§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry which companies the Minister for Science has met(a) in his Department and (b) elsewhere since becoming a Minister to discuss genetically modified foods. [70440]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 11 February 1999]In his capacity as Science Minister my noble Friend has met many companies inside and outside the Department. None of these meetings has specifically discussed genetically modified food policy.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if the Minister for Science has left the room on each occasion that genetically modified foods and crops have been discussed at meetings since his appointment; [73127]
(2) how many meetings the Minister for Science has attended where genetically modified foods and crops were discussed; on what dates; and if he will list those who attended these meetings; [73135]
(3) if the Minister for Science is permitted to take part in discussions on genetically modified foods and crops; [73128]
(4) what discussions on genetically modified foods or crops the Minister for Science has been involved in since taking office; [74220]
(5) if the Minister for Science participates in (a) decisions on genetically modified food policy, (b) discussions on genetically modified food policy, (c) discussions on genetically modified crop policy, (d) discussions on policy relating to genetically modified crops, (e) promotion of or support for British companies involved in genetically modified food or genetically modified crops, (f) decisions on Government biotechnology policy as it relates to agriculture and (g) discussions on Government biotechnology policy as it relates to agriculture. [74236]
447W
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 25 February 1999]I refer the right hon. Member to the statements made by my noble Friend Lord Sainsbury on 31 July 1998 and 16 February 1999, copies of which I have placed in the Library of the House.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will place the itinerary for the Minister for Science's visit to China and Korea in the Library; if he will list the (i) universities, (ii) scientific institutions, (iii) laboratories and (iv) companies which he visited; and what was the cost of the visit. [73021]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 25 February 1999]My Noble Friend Lord Sainsbury visited Korea from 12-16 September 1998 and China from 16–18 September. The cost of his visit was £6,570.
In Korea, Lord Sainsbury co-chaired the Third UK-Korea Science and Technology Round-table with Minister Kang of the Ministry of Science and Technology. He held discussions with Minister Bae of the Ministry for Information and Communications and also with Kim Tae-dong the Presidential Secretary for Policy and Planning and with Chung Se-yung, Honorary Chairman of Hyundai Motors. In addition, Lord Sainsbury opened a seminar on Technology Transfer and Innovation in UK industry, attended the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the UK Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council and the Korean Institute of Bioscience and Biotechnology, and made visits to the LG Corporate Institute of Technology, the Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology and to Yonsei University.
In China, Lord Sainsbury held discussions and signed a new Protocol on Scientific and Technological co-operation between the UK and China with Vice Minister Xu Guanhua of the Ministry of Science and Technology. He also signed a DTUMOFTEC Memorandum of Understanding on Cleaner Coal Technology Research and Development with Vice Minister Long Yongtu and attended the signing of a co-operation agreement between the Institute of Electrical Engineers and the Chinese Mechanical Engineers Society. In addition, Lord Sainsbury spoke at a China-UK Technology Foresight Colloqium and at a seminar at Tsinghua University to launch co-operation on micro-satellites between the Surrey and Tsinghua Universities. He opened a Renewable Energy Seminar sponsored by DTI and the State Economic and Trade Commission; and launched the Sino-British Science and Technology Festival in the presence of Vice Minister Xu.
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry on how many occasions since becoming a Minister, the Minister for Science has in his official capacity met(a) Judith Portrait and (b) Christopher Skie. [74222]
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry how many times the Minister for Science has met Mr. Christopher Stone, Director of Floranova, Innotech Investments and Gatsby Plant Science Innovations Ltd., since becoming a Minister. [75708]
§ Mr. ByersI refer the right hon. Member to the reply I gave on 18 March 1999,Official Report, column 712.
448W
§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if any company, foundation or trust with which Lord Sainsbury is, or has formerly been, associated is planning to be involved in the commercial exploiting of genome research. [76076]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 11 March 1999]All Lord Sainsbury's commercial interests were placed in the blind trust established when he was appointed as Minister for Science.
§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what arrangements Lord Sainsbury has made to insulate himself from his former interests in the Gatsby Foundation.[76074]
§ Mr. Byers[holding answer 11 March 1999]My noble Friend Lord Sainsbury has no financial interest in the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, which is a registered charity. He wrote to the trustees on 31 July asking them not to divulge to him any information about the Foundation's investments while he is in Government. He has chosen to take no part in the Foundation's grant decisions in this period.
§ Mr. LansleyTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if Lord Sainsbury participates in discussions in the Cabinet Committee on Biotechnology in respect of the Human Genome Project. [76073]
§ Mr. RedwoodTo ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if the Minister for Science discussed biotechnology issues with Mr. Christopher Stone in his capacity as a board member of the Gatsby Trust. [78590]