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The assessments were performed in accordance with a European technical guidance document. Based on this methodology, no risks have been formally identified for use in either polymers or textiles. However, some concerns remain due to its widespread presence in the environment and the possibility that it might degrade under some circumstances to more toxic substances. Consequently, the importers are required to perform further testing under Commission regulation (EC No. 565/2006) of 6 April 2006. Industry has also initiated a voluntary programme to reduce point-source emissions from the plastic and textile industries.
The assessment of human health risks was the responsibility of the French Government. The Health and Safety Executive commented on that report on behalf of HM Government.
Lord Jones of Cheltenham asked Her Majesty’s Government:
Lord Rooker: In 2003, the Environment Agency commissioned a report on the prioritisation of flame retardants for environmental risk assessment. The aim of the study was to assess the use of, and risks associated with, flame retardants—in particular, to identify substances that might require detailed consideration in terms of their possible impact on the environment.
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The new European regulation on the registration, evaluation, authorisation and restriction of chemicals (known as REACH) places on industry the responsibility to assess and understand the potential human health and environmental impacts of the substances that it produces in accordance with the principle of “no data, no market”. REACH also has the aim of replacing substances of very high concern, as defined by criteria in the regulation, with suitable alternatives. Industry will have to justify their continued use. These provisions will drive substitution of harmful substances and provide the assurance that the substitutes are less harmful than the substances that they replace.
Food: Pork and Bacon
Lord Hoyle asked Her Majesty’s Government:
What action the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs is taking to implement the Public Sector Food Procurement Initiative in respect of its purchasing of pork and bacon; what proportion of pork and bacon purchased is British; what attention is given to farm assurance, animal welfare, and health and nutrition; and how often purchasing policy is reviewed. [HL4830]
The Minister of State, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Lord Rooker): The department is taking the following action:
Proportion of pork and bacon supplied to Defra of British originDefra intends to annually update its report on the proportion of domestically produced food used by Whitehall departments. The report is published on the PSFPI website at http://www.defra.gov.uk/farm/policy/sustain/procurement/pdf/govt-food-usaqe.pdf.
Farm assurance, animal welfare, and health and nutritionInformation on Defra’s attention to these issues is given in the BPEX report Is the Government Buying British?, which was launched by the noble Lord in the House of Lords on 8 July.
Defra’s food contracts manager has scheduled meetings with the main catering contractors to review progress in updating Defra’s contract management manual and monitoring progress in delivering PSFPI objectives, including working in partnership to try to ensure that the bacon and pork served meets UK legal requirements on animal welfare. The main contractor has also been in correspondence with BPEX and recently met the National Pig Association to discuss the pork and bacon that they supply to government clients.
We have disseminated advice on animal welfare, health and nutrition across the public sector, including using the PSFPI website for this purpose. Defra will also be involved with the Department of Health on the new healthier food mark proposed by the Prime
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Defra holds regular meetings with its catering contractors which cover purchasing policy.
Government: Inspectors
Lord Taylor of Holbeach asked Her Majesty’s Government:
How many persons classified in statute as inspectors have been (a) employed and (b) authorised by each government department in each year since 2000; and how many are currently (a) employed and (b) authorised by each department. [HL4250]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (Baroness Vadera): The specific information requested is not held centrally and could be provided only at disproportionate cost.
Government: Regional Offices
Lord Hanningfield asked Her Majesty’s Government:
How much each regional government office spent on (a) tourism promotion, and (b) economic development and regeneration, in each of the past five years. [HL4498]
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State, Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform (Baroness Vadera): The primary role of regional development agencies (RDAs) is as strategic drivers of regional economic development in their region. The RDAs’ agenda includes regeneration, taking forward regional competitiveness, taking the lead on inward investment and, working with regional partners, ensuring the development of a skills action plan to ensure that skills training matches the needs of the labour market.
The table below sets out the total gross expenditure per RDA, as laid down in the statutory accounts, in each of the past five years.
| RDAs | 2003-04 (£m) | 2004-05 (£m) | 2005-06 (£m) | 2006-07 (£m) | 2007-08 (£m) |
The table below shows the RDAs’ spend on marketing and promotion of tourism in their region. Several RDAs deliver tourism marketing and promotion at
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| RDAs | 2003-04 (£k) | 2004-05 (£k) | 2005-06 (£k) | 2006-07 (£k) | 2007-08 (£k) |
2 Data represent the grant to Visit London. It is not possible to separate out marketing and promotion of tourism. London is recognised by the UK tourism industry as supporting the success of other UK destinations through its gateway role and Visit London plays an important delivery role in promoting London as a gateway to the rest of the UK.
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