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Cosmetics
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) what labelling requirements apply in respect of the use of genetically modified ingredients in cosmetics; [73405]
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Dr. Howells
[holding answers 1 March 1999]: The safety of cosmetic products is controlled by the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 1996, and all cosmetic ingredients have to be given on the label. All cosmetics are required to be safe under normal use. No specific controls exist for ingredients which may be derived from a genetically modified plant source and there are no specific requirements for manufacturers to mention this on the product label. However, the Regulations specifically prohibit the use of antibiotics.
Mr. Baker:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what assessment he has made of the health implications of the use of (a) genetically modified soya and (b) genetically modified maize in cosmetic products, with particular regard to the presence of antibiotics originating from marker genes. [73404]
Dr. Howells
[holding answer 1 March 1999]: The safety of cosmetic products is controlled by the Cosmetic Products (Safety) Regulations 1996, as amended. The Regulations specifically prohibit the use of antibiotics, but no overall assessment has been made of the health implications of ingredients which may be derived from a genetically modified plant source.
Mrs. May:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what plans he has to encourage mobile telephone network operators to provide short messaging services across networks. [73808]
Mr. Wills
[holding answer 1 March 1999]: The introduction, by licence modification, of mobile number portability has provided an additional spur to the introduction of Short Messaging Services (SMS) interworking between domestic operators. I understand that arrangements are expected to be concluded shortly between all four network operators and that it is now only a case of working on the implementation, specifically technical protocols. The Government are confident that additional benefits, in terms of new inter-network services, will be conferred on consumers through the introduction of mobile number portability.
With regard to international SMS interworking, it is dependent on the capability of the roamed network. UK subscribers already have access to short messaging services when in many overseas countries and discussions are ongoing within the GSM community to ensure that network interworking is secured more widely, particularly in Europe and Asia.
Mr. Chope:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry when he expects to publish the conclusions of the review of the United Kingdom framework for overseeing developments in biotechnology. [74144]
Dr. Jack Cunningham
[holding answer 2 March 1999]: I am replying because of my responsibility for Co-ordinating Government Policy on biotechnology and genetic modification.
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On 17 December 1998, Official Report, columns 644-45, I announced a review of the framework for overseeing developments in biotechnology and genetic modification.
Ministers will consider this review, in parallel with the emerging conclusion of the Government's public consultation on developments in the biosciences, and expect to make a formal announcement on the outcome in Spring 1999.
Mr. Chope:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry (1) if he will place in the Library a copy of the data collected by his Department on the prices of the goods subject to the Restriction on Agreements and Conducts (Specified Domestic Electrical Goods) Order 1998 (a) before and (b) after commencement of the Order; [74135]
Dr. Howells:
My Department does not collect this information.
However, information published in the Office for National Statistics Business Monitor MM23 shows that retail prices of audio-visual equipment have fallen on average by 7 per cent. per year over the five years to 1998, retail prices for electrical appliances have fallen by 2½ per cent. per year and retail prices for toys, photographic and sports goods have fallen by ½ per cent. per year, compared with an average rise of 3 per cent. per year for all items index.
It is the responsibility of the Director General of Fair Trading to keep under review commercial activities in the UK and monitor compliance with Orders made under UK competition legislation. The Restriction on Agreements and Conduct (Specified Domestic Electrical Goods) Order 1998 has so far been in force for only six months.
Mr. Llew Smith:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry what kind of container will be used for the planned shipment by sea of plutonium MOX fuel from Sellafield to Japan; which company has manufactured the container; and what safety and security tests have been carried out on the container. [72961]
Ms Glenda Jackson:
I have been asked to reply.
Containers for the carriage of MOX fuel are expected to meet the standards for Type B packages as laid down in UK regulations, which are based on the recommendations of the International Atomic Energy Agency, a copy of which is in the Commons Library. No containers, as yet, have been approved by the UK for this transport.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Secretary of State for Trade and Industry if he will list the issues for discussion before
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the General Affairs Council on 22 and 23 February indicating the position he proposes to take on each issue. [72742]
Ms Quin
[holding answer 24 February 1999]: I have been asked to reply.
Every six months, at the beginning of an EU Presidency, I outline to the House meetings expected during the Presidency. Every month, I give the House details of the items expected at meetings of the Council of Ministers during the month. After each meeting of the General Affairs Council, I report back to the European Scrutiny Committee on the business conducted at the General Affairs Council meeting. The Government have recently extended arrangements for scrutinising Council business to include the Second and Third Pillars of the Treaty on European Union, as well as the First Pillar. The Government will continue to promote the interests of the United Kingdom at all meetings of the Council of Ministers. However, it has not been the practice of successive Administrations to indicate the position that Ministers propose to take in advance of Council.
Mr. Maclean:
To ask the Prime Minister, pursuant to his answer of 15 February 1999, Official Report, column 522, what proportion of the reforms under the Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market programme were criticised by his Government. [72626]
The Prime Minister:
Initiation of reviews under the Simpler Legislation for the Internal Market (SLIM) process is a matter for the European Commission, taking into account suggestions from the Member States.
The United Kingdom has fully participated in SLIM, being represented on at least one team in each phase, and submitting position papers with our views to all except one of the other teams. Specific recommendations for reform are put forward by each SLIM team as a whole.
Mrs. Gillan:
To ask the Prime Minister when he or his officials, his special advisers or Parliamentary Private Secretary first had access to a copy of the report on Sierra Leone as agreed by the Foreign Affairs Committee. [73632]
Mr. Wilshire:
To ask the Prime Minister when (a) he, (b) his officials, (c) his advisers and (d) his PPS were first made aware of certain key conclusions of the Foreign Affairs Committee on Sierra Leone. [73703]
The Prime Minister
[holding answer 26 February 1999]: I refer the hon. Members to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Wilshire) on 23 February 1999, Official Report, column 231.
Sir Brian Mawhinney:
To ask the Prime Minister on what day and at what time (a) he and (b) officials working in No. 10 Downing street were informed that the Foreign and Commonwealth Office had received a leaked copy of the draft Foreign Affairs Committee report on Sierra Leone. [74155]
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Mr. Wilshire:
To ask the Prime Minister when he knew that a copy of the draft report of the Foreign Affairs Committee's Sierra Leone inquiry had been sent to the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the second week of January. [73573]
The Prime Minister
[holding answers 26 February and 2 March 1999]: Officials in No. 10 were informed on the evening of Monday 22 February. I was informed the following day.
(2) what controls exist over the use of genetically modified (a) maize and (b) soya in skin-care and cosmetics, with particular regard to the presence of antibiotics originating from marker genes. [73406]
(2) in what respects average unit prices for each of the categories of electrical goods subject to the Restriction on Agreements and Conduct (Specified Domestic Electrical Goods) Order 1998 have altered in each of the last five years in (a) cash terms and (b) real terms. [74137]
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