Written question asked by Michael Meacher (Labour), in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Tuesday, 18 March 1997. It was answered by Lord Deben (Conservative) on Tuesday, 18 March 1997 on behalf of the Department of the Environment.

Dept of the Environment

Question: What conferences his Department (a) has sponsored and (b) been represented at since January 1996 on genetically modified organisms and the environment. - Inc fact that on 10 March my Department sponsored a national conference on biotechnology chaired by Lord Selborne; do not keep a central register of such attendances.

Answer: Mr. Meacher: To ask the Secretary of State for the Environment what conferences his Department (a) has sponsored and (b) been represented at since January 1996 on genetically modified organisms and the environment. [20765] Mr. Gummer: (a) On 10 March, my Department sponsored a national conference on biotechnology at which I made the opening speech. This conference was chaired by Lord Selborne, and the outcome of the conference will be reported to me shortly. The conference was informed by the outcome of three consultation conferences. One of those, on the environment applications of biotechnology, was sponsored by my Department. (b) My officials attend conferences on genetically modified organisms from time to time, but we do not keep a central register of such attendances.

Secondary information

Type: Written question
Reference: 20765; 292 c521W
Session: 1996-97
Subjects: Biotechnology Genetic engineering Genetically modified organisms Department of the Environment Conferences National Biotechnology Conference