Written Answers
Monday, 9th June 1997.
Corruption In Public Life
asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they propose to take to reform and consolidate the law on corruption, with particular reference to the bribery of Members of Parliament.
The Government are committed to tackling corruption in all areas of public and private life, including the bribery of MPs.My right honourable friend the Home Secretary is publishing today a statement on reform of the corruption statues for consultation. A copy is available in the Library. The Law Commission will be producing proposals for reform of the law in this area later in the year.My right honourable friend will consider carefully the results of all of these exercises, together with any further recommendations which the Nolan Committee may make in relation to the criminal law.He expects to make a further statement on the reform of the law in this area early next year.
Bse: Additional Controls
asked Her Majesty's Government:What action they will take in the light of the EU Commission's statement that other member states are not taking enough precautions against the risks of BSE in cattle or sheep, and the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee's latest advice.
In August 1996 the previous Government introduced a ban on the consumption of the heads of sheep and goats, following a recommendation from the Spongiform Encephalopathy Advisory Committee, which had considered whether BSE could exist naturally in sheep. The committee had also advised that the Government should continue to consider this issue further with its EU partners and implement a programme of further research.Discussions took place during the latter part of 1996 in the European Union. The Commission proposed EU-wide controls on the use of spleen of all sheep and the brain and spinal cord of sheep which were more than about a year old, based on checking the number of permanent incisor teeth of the sheep. Unfortunately, despite support from the United Kingdom and a few other countries, the majority of member states rejected this proposal.My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has raised this issue again with Commissioners Fischler and Bonino. The Commission announced on 14 May that it would be making further proposals.In the light of this, SEAC have reconsidered the question. There is still no scientific evidence indicating that there is any BSE in the national sheep population. But SEAC has recommended that it would be prudent for the Government to take early action, if Community-wide measures are not agreed quickly, to extend controls, as proposed by the European Commission, to the spinal cord of sheep more than a year old—which account for around a sixth of annual consumption of sheep meat in the UK—and to the spleen of all sheep. Similar action has already been taken by the Irish, French and Dutch Governments. This is a precautionary measure, designed to ensure that, if BSE has been transmitted to sheep, all reasonable steps are taken to avoid any possible risks to consumers no matter how remote.On the basis of the advice from SEAC, which my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food is placing in the Library of the House, the Government are today opening consultations on legislation which would extend the existing controls on the heads of all sheep and goats to the spleen, and would require the removal of spinal cord of sheep and goats with at least one permanent incisor erupted (the most practical means of ageing sheep over one year old). It would also ban the use of the vertebral column of sheep and goats in the production of mechanically recovered meat.The SEAC statement also recommends reinforcing the existing arrangements for scrapie surveillance. The Government's intention is to reinforce the existing legal requirement on farmers to notify all cases of scrapie by providing new powers for the compulsory slaughter of affected animals, with payment of compensation, and by initiating a survey of brains from abattoirs and a postal survey of farms. The results of these surveys will be published. We are today opening consultation on this compulsory slaughter and compensation scheme.Research into the epidemiology of the disease in sheep and goats is now under way. The new measures will significantly aid this research by providing further incentives for reporting disease, and additional material for research. In addition sheep are currently being selected from New Zealand, one of the few countries generally accepted as being free of scrapie, for use in a number of key long-term experiments. These sheep will provide a valuable resource for future work on scrapie.The SEAC statement also includes advice on imported cattle. SEAC have advised that action should be taken to extend specified bovine material (SBM) controls to imported central nervous system (CNS) tissues or bovine material containing them. At present the legal requirement for the heads, spinal cord and certain other tissues of cattle to be removed from the food and animal feed chain, prohibited for use in pharmaceutical, cosmetic and medical products and disposed of under controlled conditions, applies only to carcases of bovine animals which have died or been slaughtered in the United Kingdom. The Government are opening consultation on proposals which would means that the requirement to remove and dispose of specified tissues would apply not only to such carcases but also to bovine material which has been imported into the UK.
Beef Production Subsidies: Readjustment
asked Her Majesty's Government:What action is being taken to recover overpayments of aid to beef producers based on premium claims in 1996.
Regulation (EC) No. 1357/96, the subject of Explanatory Memorandum 7811/96 of 3 June 1996, was cleared by the Select Committee on European Communities on 4 June 1996 and adopted by the Council of Ministers on 8 July 1996. It contained a range of special measures to assist beef producers and included provision for supplementary payments to producers pro rata to their entitlement to subsidies under the Beef Special Premium and Suckler Cow Premium schemes in the 1996 scheme years. Provisional payments could however be based on 1995 claims so as to provide urgent financial support. At the time of payment it was made clear to producers that adjustment would follow to reflect the position relating to 1996 subsidy claims. Beef producers who are being paid these subsidies on fewer animals in 1996 than in 1995 will be required to repay the supplement relating to the difference in numbers. Wherever possible, such overpayments will be deducted from balance payments due under the 1996 beef schemes. All moneys recovered under this exercise will be redistributed to those beef producers who qualified for subsidies on more animals in the 1996 scheme years than in 1995.
British Library
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will take steps to ensure that the British Library does not introduce an admission charge.
The Government's view is that in principle it is desirable for free access to the British Library's reading rooms to be maintained wherever possible. I note that the Board of the British Library has been considering whether any charges for access to its reading rooms might be introduced, and is currently in the process of conducting a survey of users on this question among others. Any proposal by the board to introduce charges for access to reading rooms would require the approval of my right honourable friend the Secretary of State. My right honourable friend would want to consider any such proposal in the light of all relevant factors, including the views of users.
Nuclear Reprocessing
asked Her Majesty's Government:What are the purposes of nuclear reprocessing in this country and where is it carried out; what percentage is United Kingdom waste and why it has to be reprocessed; what percentage is from other countries; whether all the latter is returned to the country of origin after reprocessing; and whether the quantity of nuclear material being reprocessed in this country has increased and if so by how much.
Nuclear reprocessing has been carried out in the United Kingdom for nearly 40 years for both UK and overseas customers. Reprocessing involves chemically dissolving used (or spent) nuclear fuel to recover the plutonium and unused uranium which will be available for later use. Reprocessing is carried out by British Nuclear Fuels plc (BNFL) at their Sellafield site and the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority (UKAEA) at their Dounreay site. Operational details are a matter for BNFL, and the UKAEA. Since 1976, all contracts for reprocessing used fuel from overseas have contained options for the UK to return waste to the countries of origin and the Government have made it clear that these options should be exercised.
Prion Homologues
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they are aware of any research aimed at identifying homologues of the "prion" gene and, if so, whether any such homologues have been found.
Research has established that the prion gene appears to be a single gene. It is not part of a gene family and there is no homology with other genes within the same species.There is work on identification of prion protein genes in a variety of species, including hamsters, marsupials, cattle, mice and sheep. More generally, homologues of the prion protein gene have been found in marsupials and birds, although they are very different from humans.BBSRC are funding research to identify genes which could compensate for prion protein absence of PrP gene, in other words a homologous function but not necessarily a homologous gene.
Investigating Accountants: Impartiality
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether a firm that has prepared a report for creditors on the financial health of a business should be allowed to undertake any subsequent receivership work; whether this widespread practice may not tend to increase the number of unnecessary receiverships; and whether they intend to take any action.
Her Majesty's Government have no plans to prohibit an investigating accountant from subsequently being appointed as receiver of a company. Investigating accountants must act professionally and impartially when reporting on a company's financial position, particularly given the potential for a conflict of interest in such situation. In a survey of their members carried out in 1994 the Society of Practitioners of Insolvency found that in some 65 per cent. of cases investigating accountants recommended steps other than insolvency proceedings (including receivership). Where however an investigating accountant is appointed as administrative receiver this is likely to save costs and thereby benefit the creditors.If the noble Lord has any information or evidence which might show that the profession is not maintaining the required standards of impartiality and transparency, my right honourable friend the President of the Board of Trade would be pleased to hear from him.
Parliamentary Privilege
asked Her Majesty's Government:What plans they have to establish a review of parliamentary privilege.
The Government believe that, in the context of their initiative to modernise Parliament, the time is now ripe for a general review of parliamentary privilege. Various aspects of the relationship between Parliament and the courts have given rise to difficulties in recent years, and the boundaries between them have been redrawn without any fundamental reappraisal of the kind of legal immunities which Parliament and its Members ought to enjoy at the end of the twentieth century.The need for a review has become more pressing with today's announcement by my right honourable friend the Home Secretary of proposals for taking forward a general reform of the corruption statutes, which will include clarifying the law relating to bribery of Members of Parliament, as recommended by the Nolan Committee. The implications for parliamentary privilege, which would clearly be considerable, would need to be considered carefully in advance of the introduction of legislation.Since this is a matter for Parliament and one which affects both Houses, the Government believe that such a review could be undertaken most appropriately by a Joint Committee. Consultations are taking place about setting up the committee and about the terms of reference it might have.The Government hope that it might be possible to complete this review by early next year.
Ministerial Committees: Membership
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will publish a list of the Ministerial Committees set up by the Cabinet.
The names and membership of the Ministerial Committees which the Prime Minister has established to date are as follows. In addition to the members listed, other Ministers are invited to attend meetings as and when the business requires.
Ministerial Committee On Defence And Overseas Policy (Dop)
Composition
Prime Minister (Chairman)
Deputy Prime Minister
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
President of the Board of Trade
Secretary of State for Defence
The Chief of Defence Staff attends as required, as do the Chiefs of Staff when necessary. Others are invited to attend as necessary.
Terms of Reference
"To keep under review the Government's defence and overseas policy."
Ministerial Committee on Constitutional Reform Policy (CRP)
Composition
Prime Minister (Chairman)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for Environment, Transport and the Regions
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Lord Chancellor
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Scotland
President of the Council
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Lord Privy Seal
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury
Minister without Portfolio
Other Ministers may be invited to attend as necessary.
Terms of Reference
"To consider strategic issues relating to the Government's constitutional reform policies".
Ministerial Committee on the Intelligence Services (CSI)
Composition
Prime Minister (Chairman)
Deputy Prime Minister
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Defence
Terms of Reference
"To keep under review policy on the security and intelligence services."
Ministerial Committee on Northern Ireland (NI)
Composition
Prime Minister (Chairman)
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Defence
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Terms of Reference
"To oversee the Government's policy on Northern Ireland issues and relations with the Republic of Ireland on these matters".
Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)
Composition
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chairman)
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Lord Chancellor
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Health
President of the Council
Secretary of State for National Heritage
Secretary of State for Social Security
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Lord Privy Seal
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Minister of Transport
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury
Minister without Portfolio
The Attorney General, the Lord Advocate and the Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms also receive papers. They and others are invited to attend as necessary.
Terms of Reference
"To consider issues of home and social policy".
Ministerial Committee on the Environment (ENV)
Composition
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chairman)
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Minister of Agriculture. Fisheries and Food
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Health
President of the Council
Secretary of State for National Heritage
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for International Development Lord Privy Seal
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Minister of Transport
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport
Minister without Portfolio
The Secretary of State for Social Security also receives papers. She and other Ministers are invited to attend as necessary.
Terms of Reference
"To consider environmental policy issues."
Ministerial Committee on Local Government (GL)
Composition
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chairman) Chancellor of the Exchequer
Lord Chancellor
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for the Education and Employment
President of the Board of Trade
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Health
President of the Council
Secretary of State for National Heritage
Secretary of State for Social Security
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Lord Privy Seal
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Minister of Transport
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport
Minister without Portfolio
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.
Terms of reference
"To consider issues affecting local government, including the annual allocation of resources."
Ministerial Committee on Devolution to Scotland and Wales and the English Regions (DSWR)
Composition
Lord Chancellor (Chairman)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Secretary of State for Home Department
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
President of the Board of Trade
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Health
President of the Council
Secretary of State for National Heritage
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Lord Privy Seal
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury
Captain of the Gentleman at Arms
Attorney-General
Lord Advocate
Other Ministers are invited for items in which they have departmental interest.
Terms of reference
"To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's policies for devolution to Scotland and Wales and the regions of England and to promote and oversee progress of the relevant legislation through Parliament and its subsequent implementation."
Ministerial Committee on Public Expenditure (PX)
Composition
Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chairman)
Lord Chancellor
President of the Board of Trade
President of the Council
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Lord Privy Seal
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Department of Social Security
Other Ministers are invited to attend for matters in which they have a departmental interest.
Terms of reference
"To review public expenditure allocations and make recommendations to the Cabinet."
Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs (EA)
Composition
Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chairman)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Secretary of State for the Home Department
President of the Board of Trade and Secretary of State for Trade and Industry
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Health
President of the Council
Secretary of State for National Heritage
Secretary of State for Social Security
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Lord Privy Seal
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Minister of Transport
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Minister without Portfolio
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest. The Chief Scientific Adviser attends for issues relating to science and technology.
Terms of Reference
"To consider issues relating to the Government's economic policies."
Ministerial Committee on The Queen's Speeches and Future Legislation (QFL)
Composition
Lord Chancellor (Chairman)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons
Lord Privy Seal
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Attorney General
Lord Advocate
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury
Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms
Minister without Portfolio
The Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs is invited to attend for discussions of The Queen's Speeches.
Terms of Reference
"To prepare and submit to the Cabinet drafts of The Queen's Speeches to Parliament and proposals for the Government's legislative programme."
Ministerial Sub-Committee on European Issues ((E)DOP)
Composition
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs (Chairman)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Chancellor of the Exchequer
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
President of the Board of Trade
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Defence
President of the Council
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Secretary of State for International Development
Lord Privy Seal
Attorney General
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Minister for Trade and Competitiveness in Europe
Minister without Portfolio
Other Ministers are invited to attend as the nature of the business requires.
The United Kingdom's Permanent Representative to the European Union is also in attendance.
Terms of Reference
"To consider questions relating to the United Kingdom's membership of the European Union and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Defence and Overseas Policy (DOP)."
Ministerial Committee on Legislation (LEG)
Composition
President of the Council (Chair)
Lord Chancellor
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Wales
Lord Privy Seal
Attorney General
Lord Advocate
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Minister of State, Home Office
Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service
Financial Secretary, Treasury
Captain of the Gentlemen-at-Arms
Minister without Portfolio
The Secretary of State for Northern Ireland also receives papers and is invited to attend as necessary.
Terms of Reference
"To examine all draft Bills; to consider the parliamentary handling of Government Bills, European Community documents and Private Members' business, and such other related matters as may be necessary; and to keep under review the Government's policy in relation to issues of Parliamentary procedures."
Ministerial Sub-Committee on London (GL(L))
Composition
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions (Chairman)
Paymaster General, Treasury
Minister of State, Department of National Heritage
Minister without Portfolio
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security
Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service
Terms of Reference
"To co-ordinate the Government's policies on London, and report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Local Government (GL) and the Ministerial Committee on Devolution to Scotland, Wales and the English Regions (DSWR)."
Ministerial Sub-Committee on Welfare to Work (EA(WW))
Composition
Chancellor of the Exchequer (Chairman)
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Social Security
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Minister of State, Department of the Environment
Paymaster General, Treasury
Minister of State, Home Office
Minister of State, Department for Education and Employment
Minister of State, Department of Social Security
Minister without Portfolio
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.
Terms of Reference
"To develop policies to get people from welfare to work and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Economic Affairs (EA)."
Ministerial Sub-Committee on Incorporation of the European Convention of Human Rights (CRP(EC))
Composition
Lord Chancellor (Chairman)
Deputy Prime Minister and Secretary of State for the Environment, Transport and the Regions
Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs
Secretary of State for the Home Department
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Defence
Secretary of State for Health
President of the Council
Secretary of State for Social Security
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Lord Privy Seal
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury
Attorney General
Lord Advocate
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.
Terms of Reference
"To consider policy and other issues arising from the Government's decision to legislate for the incorporation of ECHR in UK law and to promote and oversee progress of the relevant legislation through Parliament and its subsequent implementation, reporting as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Constitutional Reform Policy."
Ministerial Sub-Committee on Drug Misuse (HS(D))
Composition
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
Secretary of State for International Development
Solicitor General
Financial Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office
Minister of State, Ministry of Defence
Minister of State, Northern Ireland Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Scottish Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport also receives papers and may be invited to attend as appropriate.
Terms of Reference
"To co-ordinate the Government's national and international policies for tackling drugs misuse, and report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)."
Ministerial Sub-Committee on Health Strategy (HS(H))
Composition
President of the Council and Leader of the House of Commons (Chair)
Secretary of State for Health
Secretary of State for International Development
Minister of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport
Minister of State, Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Minister of State, Department of Health
Economic Secretary, Treasury
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Home Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State Scottish Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Northern Ireland Office
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
The Chief Medical Officer is in attendance.
Other Ministers are invited to attend for items in which they have a departmental interest.
Terms of Reference
"To oversee the development, implementation and monitoring of the Government's health strategy; to co-ordinate the Government's policies on United Kingdom-wide issues affecting health; and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)."
Ministerial Sub-Committee on Women's Issues (HS(W))
Composition
Secretary of State for Social Security (Chair)
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for International Development
Financial Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Home Office
Minister of State, Scottish Office
Minister of State, Department of Health
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Departments of the Environment and Transport
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Education and Employment
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Trade and Industry
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Social Security
Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Welsh Office
Parliamentary Secretary, Office of Public Service
Terms of Reference
"To review and develop the Government's policy and strategy on issues of special concern to women; to oversee their implementation; and to report as necessary to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs (HS)."
Ministerial Group on Food Safety (MISC 1)
Composition
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster (Chairman)
Secretary of State for Education and Employment
Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
Secretary of State for Scotland
Secretary of State for Health
President of the Council
Secretary of State for Northern Ireland
Secretary of State for Wales
Chief Secretary, Treasury
Minister of State, Departments of Environment and Transport
Minister of State, Department of Trade and Industry
Minister without Portfolio
The Parliamentary Secretary, Treasury will also receive papers and may attend as necessary.
Terms of Reference
"To co-ordinate Departmental consideration of issues arising from the establishment of a Food Standards Agency and other aspects of food safety, and to make recommendations to the Ministerial Committee on Home and Social Affairs".