Stem Cell Research

HC Deb 01 February 2001 vol 362 cc281-2W

Mr. Amess

To ask the Prime Minister (1) on how many occasions he has met Sir Chris Evans since May 1997; [146861]

(2) what advice he has received from Sir Chris Evans concerning stem cell techniques, cloning and biotechnology. [146862]

The Prime Minister

I have meetings with a wide range of organisations and individuals. As with previous Administrations, it is not my practice to provide details of all such meetings.

Mr. Amess

To ask the Prime Minister for what reasons he has not met religious leaders to discuss their objections to human cloning and the use of embryonic stem cells. [146864]

The Prime Minister

I was unable to agree a meeting owing to existing diary commitments. However, I do meet religious leaders regularly and will continue to do so.

The Government have listened very carefully to representations made on the recommendations of the Donaldson Report and the regulations and respect the views on both sides of the debate of many people on these sensitive issues.