Lords Hansard text for 12 May 200812 May 2008 (pt 0002)

It is not sufficient that an application satisfies the requirements of the Act for it to be granted. In reaching licensing decisions, the Secretary of State can and does take into account wider societal concerns. This is done on a case by case basis and ensures that ethical and scientific considerations are carefully and fully weighed and that a proper balance is struck when licensing decisions are taken.

The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Bill sets out consent requirements for the use of gametes in the creation of human embryos and human admixed embryos in vitro, and for the storage of human gametes.

Lord Alton of Liverpool asked Her Majesty's Government:

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 21 April (WA 234) regarding the paper by Yu-Chih Hsu in volume 231 of Nature, how the paper supports the decision by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority to permit culture of human embryos for longer than 14 days given its description of contractions resembling a heart beat after 10—14 days of mouse embryo cultivation in vitro; and [HL3226]

Further to the Written Answer by Lord Darzi of Denham on 21 April (WA 234) regarding differences between retention of the structure of an inner cell mass on different surfaces, whether seeding a human blastocyst onto feeder cells more closely resembles a collagen surface or naked plastic. [HL3227]

Lord Darzi of Denham: The Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) has procedures in place to ensure that centres comply with Sections

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3(3)(a) and 3(4) of the 1990 Human Fertilisation and Embryology Act 1990. The HFEA checks compliance on a case by case basis upon inspection.

The culture of mouse embryos, as described by Hsu et al (1974), involved culture on a collagen surface with the intention of nurturing a 3D structure. As far as the HFEA is aware, this study is the only one in which contractions resembling a heart beat have been observed in mammalian embryos cultured in vitro. The gestation period of a mouse is 19 days, meaning at 10 to 14 days a mouse embryo would be over halfway through the normal gestation period.

When culturing inner cell masses which have outgrown from the structure of an embryo, centres must ensure that the method used does not allow embryos to develop past 14 days or the appearance of the primitive streak. The method used must result in a flat culture of cells and not a 3D structure. Embryos that have attached and outgrown on the surface of the dish no longer have the organisation structure of a viable embryo.

Health: Organophosphates

The Countess of Mar asked Her Majesty's Government:

What are the effects of exposure to diazinon on the brain, heart, lungs, liver and kidneys in humans; and what research has been conducted into the chronic effects on those organs in subjects who have survived exposure. [HL3419]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department of Health (Lord Darzi of Denham): The effects of diazinon poisoning in humans have been reported in a number of clinical studies following accidental or suicidal ingestion of diazinon. The major effects observed are related to excessive stimulation of acetylcholine receptors, which results in changes in the function of the brain, heart, respiratory tract and other organs. Changes in liver enzymes have also been reported. Patients who survive a severe acute poisoning crisis sometimes develop muscle weakness beginning one to four days later and this has occasionally resulted in fatal respiratory failure. There is some evidence that severe poisoning with organophosphates, such as diazinon, can lead to persistent impairment of brain function but effects on other organs have not been reported.

House of Lords: Appointments Commission

Lord Oakeshott of Seagrove Bay asked Her Majesty's Government:

Before which Parliamentary Select Committee the preferred candidate for the post of chair of the House of Lords Appointments Commission might be required to appear prior to appointment. [HL3368]

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The Lord President of the Council (Baroness Ashton of Upholland): The Government are working with the House of Commons Liaison Committee to agree the list of posts suitable for pre-appointment scrutiny by parliamentary Select Committee. Decisions on which committees will scrutinise which appointments are matters for Parliament—not Government.

Israel and Palestine: Gaza

Lord Hylton asked Her Majesty's Government:

What action is being taken in the international arena to prevent any sudden upsurge of fighting in and around Gaza. [HL3391]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The situation in Gaza is of serious concern. It was addressed at a series of high-level international meetings in London on 2 May involving Palestinian Prime Minister Fayyad and Israeli Foreign Minister Livni. The quartet in its statement following the meetings called for an end to all violence and terror and urged all parties to take all feasible steps to ensure the protection of affected civilians in accordance with international law. We continue to make clear to all parties that further violence is in no one's interest.

Baroness Tonge asked Her Majesty's Government:

What discussions they have had with the Government of Israel and the International Court of Justice about the status of Gaza. [HL3431]

Lord Malloch-Brown: My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary has had many discussions with the Israeli Government regarding the status of Gaza. My right honourable friend the Foreign Secretary discusses Gaza frequently with Israeli Foreign Minister Livni. At the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee meeting in London on 2 May, the humanitarian crisis in Gaza was discussed by members of the delegation. We have not spoken to the International Court of Justice recently regarding the status of Gaza. We unequivocally condemn the rocket and sniper attacks on Israel from Gaza. But any response by Israel should be in accordance with international law, including the Fourth Geneva Convention. We deplore civilian casualties on both sides. All parties must abide by their commitments under international law.

Israel and Palestine: World Heritage Sites

Baroness Tonge asked Her Majesty's Government:

What representations they have made to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation regarding Israeli actions in Bethlehem, the Temple Mount in Jerusalem and other world heritage sites. [HL3341]

The Minister of State, Foreign and Commonwealth Office (Lord Malloch-Brown): The UK is concerned about excavation activities in the area around the Temple Mount/Haram a-Sharif. Negotiations between Israel and the relevant religious authorities are continuing under the auspices of the UN Educational, Scientific

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and Cultural Organisation. The UK continues to make clear that any action in this holy site should be taken with the agreement of all concerned parties.

Local Government: Design Reviews

Lord Patten asked Her Majesty's Government:

Which councils in England have local design review panels. [HL3310]

The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Communities and Local Government (Baroness Andrews): Following the successful introduction of its national design review service, the Government's adviser on urban design, the Commission for Architecture and the Built Environment (CABE), is actively promoting the establishment of design review panels at a regional level. CABE is now taking steps to learn from its own national and regional design review service, and help replicate this at the local level. We are aware that there are an increasing number of local review panels being established by local planning authorities and other bodies, but these are not monitored centrally.