To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment when he expects to publish his Department's regulations governing the contained use of genetically modified organisms and outdoor releases of genetically modified organisms following his consultations; and if he will make a statement.

Consultations on the proposed regulations were completed on 22 January and my Department and other interested governmental parties are currently analysing the results. The regulations will be laid as soon as possible after the issues raised by the comments received have been considered and resolved.