§ Baroness Denton of Wakefieldasked Her Majesty's Government:
Further to the Written Answer by the Lord sainsbury of Turville on 11 January (WA 12) which stated that no conflict of interest had arisen necessitating him to absent himself from official discussions, how this Answer is compatible with the Department of Trade and Industry press release of 16 February, which stated that he has not participated in any discussions concerning Genetic modification. [HL1347]
§ The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry (Lord Sainsbury of Turville)The statement issued on the 16 February made clear that I have not taken part in any government decisions or discussions relating to GM Food Policy.
23WAThe first opportunity for me to be involved in a policy discussion on GM Food was at the MISC6 Cabinet Committee on Biotechnology on 3 February. I left the meeting for discussion of this item. This was over three weeks after the date of the earlier answer referred to by the noble Baroness.