European Union (Withdrawal) (No. 6) Bill

Debate between Lord Balfe and Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen

2nd reading (Hansard): House of Lords
Thursday 5th September 2019 Lords Chamber

[Lord Balfe]

My Lords, the noble Lord has raised an interesting point because I notice that the ministerial Bench has been thinly populated. I wonder whether the person currently occupying it can tell us whether there will indeed be a ministerial response to this debate, and where the Minister is.

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen (Con)]

My Lords, there will indeed be a ministerial response and I think that my noble friend the Minister will appear very shortly.

Health: Folate

Debate between Lord Balfe and Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen

Thursday 1st March 2018 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

Yes, Defra and the Department of Health.

[Lord Balfe (Con)]

My Lords, time was mentioned, but the Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition backed this in 2006 and again in 2017—not to mention the earlier study referred to by the noble Baroness. The evidence is backed by the Scottish and Welsh Governments. I accept that the Minister cannot control the Secretary of State’s diary, but could we have an assurance that they will talk to their Welsh and Scottish counterparts about why they feel strongly about it? Will she make a positive recommendation to the Secretary of State—and, if his diary is too busy, will she agree to meet these representatives and listen to what they have to say?

[Baroness Chisholm of Owlpen]

I know that the Secretary of State is always willing to meet people, and I am sure he will. We know that this is a complex issue, involving many interested stakeholders from the scientific community, industry and the general public. All aspects and impacts will need to be fully understood. But there is no doubt that the Secretary of State is aware of the fact that Wales and Scotland are also interested in this. That is partly why we are trying to proceed with this as quickly as we possibly can.