GM Communications Unit

HC Deb 15 March 2000 vol 346 c256W

Mr. Yeo

To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office if she will make a statement on the role of the GM Communications Unit. [114753]

Mr. Stringer

The GM Communications Unit is staffed by civil servants. They work strictly in accordance with the principles set out in the Guidance on the work of the Government Information Service.

The unit co-ordinates and liaises with the key Government Departments which have policy interests on GM issues. They also act as a first port of call for journalists. By setting up the communications unit the Government have positively responded to a key recommendation from the House of Commons Select Committee on Science and Technology, that the Government provide leadership in the GM debate.

More recently (7 March 2000) the Agriculture Select Committee published a report calling for confusion over GM issues to be replaced by rational debate and education. The unit aims to help meet that challenge.

The unit's role is to communicate Government policy. It is stated Government policy to raise public understanding of the facts about GM issues.