SCIENTIFIC INFLUENCE OVER GOVERNMENT INQUIRIES

Early day motion 485, tabled 12 January 2005 by Michael Meacher (Labour). Signed by 34 members.

That this House notes the recent exposure by the BBC's Panorama programme of the undue influence exerted by the sugar industry on a UN consultation on the effects of sugar in human nutrition which revealed secret sugar industry funding for the consultation, and influence over both the selection of the chairman and the consultation parameters; also notes that the food industry has been shown to have copied the tabacco industry's model in activities including the placing of favoured scientists on World Health Organisation and Food and Agriculture Organisation committees and the establishment and funding of industry-wide research and policy groups; further notes widespread public concern over such undue influence exerted by commercial companies and lobbyists in the food, tobacco, nuclear, chemical and other industrial sectors; believes these are illustrative examples of a systemic problem; is concerned at the high levels of public scepticism in relation to many public inquiries and government reports; is further concerned that such clandestine influence can only serve to further undermine public confidence in both government and science; and urges the Government to establish a public inquiry into the links that exist between companies engaging in scientific research of a commercial nature and government officials, including policy advisers at all levels ranging from the executive to scrutiny committees, and bodies charged with evaluating the efficacy, safety and desirability of products that companies are seeking initial and continued approval to market to the public.

Signatures by party: Labour 23, Liberal Democrat 7, Labour/Co-operative 3, Plaid Cymru 1.