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Human Cloning
Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answers by the Baroness Hayman of 17 December 1998 (WA 174) and
19 January (WA 97-98) on human cloning, whether they will indicate why the membership and terms of reference of the sub-group which drafted the report on human cloning by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the Human Genetics Advisory Commission (HGAC) are not detailed in an annex to the report; what assessment they have made of the risk of conflicts of interest arising from the involvement of persons connected with Wellcome, Smithkline Beecham plc and other pharmaceutical companies which might stand to gain by the development in human cloning; and whether they will arrange with the HFEA and the HGAC to have the submissions made to the sub-group placed in the Libraries of both Houses.[HL1290]
Baroness Hayman: The review was conducted by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) and the Human Genetics Advisory Commission (HGAC). It was not a government review. The working party consisted of two members from each body who were chosen by those bodies for their relevant knowledge and experience.
The form of the report is a matter for the HFEA and HGAC. Details of membership and purpose of the working group are included in annexes A and B and paragraph 1.9 of the report. The precise terms of reference of the working group were published in the earlier consultation document. The report was developed by the HFEA and HGAC, not just the working group, so the full range of interests of all the members of these bodies contributed to the final product.
In accordance with usual practice, the HFEA and HGAC have no plans to place copies of the responses to the consultation paper in the Library. The responses may be inspected by prior arrangement with the HGAC secretariat.
Joint Consultative Committee with Liberal Democrat Party
Lord Cocks of Hartcliffe asked Her Majesty's Government:
- Further to the Written Answer by Lord Falconer of Thoroton on 17 February (WA 82), which members of the Liberal Democrat Party have been invited to attend Cabinet Committee meetings; and in what capacity those members were invited.[HL1239]
The Minister of State, Cabinet Office (Lord Falconer of Thoroton): It is a matter for the Liberal Democrats as to which of their members, in their capacity as Liberal Democrat spokesmen, attend the Joint Consultative Committee.
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