Julian Smith MP: written questions 2024
34 published records · newest first.
Written questions
Food: LeadDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6211More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, if he will make an assessment of the adequacy of the number of food samples tested for lead contamination per year by the Veterinary Medicines Directorate.
Answer: The levels of lead testing in the United Kingdom are determined in accordance with legislative requirements which provide food safety assurances to both domestic consumers as well as export markets. Sampling levels are reviewed by the Veterinary Medicines...
Answered 10 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6210More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department issues to local authorities on conducting lead level tests on food products sold in local shops within areas known to have high levels of environmental lead contaminati
Answer: Lead is a naturally occurring contaminant in the environment. Independent scientific expert groups advise that exposure to lead should be reduced as much as possible. Maximum levels are set on the ‘as low as reasonably achievable’ basis. Levels focus on f...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6209More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, whether he has made an assessment of the potential impact of recent flooding on areas with historical levels of lead contamination.
Answer: The impact of flooding on areas of land with historical levels of lead contamination is a matter for local councils to consider under Part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990. Local councils have the duty to inspect their areas to identify contami...
Answered 11 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6208More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason has the Food Standards Agency not set an established threshold for lead content in eggs.
Answer: Lead is a naturally occurring contaminant in the environment. Independent scientific expert groups advise that exposure to lead should be reduced as much as possible. Maximum levels are set on the ‘as low as reasonably achievable’ basis. Levels focus on f...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordHousing: ConstructionMinistry of Housing, Communities and Local GovernmentTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6207More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities, and Local Government, whether historical lead mining activities are considered when approving new housing targets.
Answer: The proposed methodology to calculate local housing need figures for each local authority, is set out in the ‘Proposed reforms to the National Planning Policy Framework and other changes to the planning system’ consultation documents. These can be found a...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6206More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what guidance he provides to local authorities for testing land in proximity to former lead mining sites; and whether he is taking steps to inform (a) residents and (b) those involved
Answer: There are a variety of resources available to local authorities in regard to testing potentially contaminated land. The Interdepartmental Committee on the Redevelopment of Contaminated Land (ICRCL) issued guidance on The Restoration and Aftercare of Metal...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6205More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what funding he has allocated for the remediation of contaminated land surrounding abandoned lead mines in the the next five years.
Answer: Funding to support local authorities in fulfilling their statutory obligations under part 2A of the Environmental Protection Act 1990, to inspect potential contaminated sites and to seek remediation where required, remains in the form of the Revenue Suppo...
Answered 14 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6204More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to maintain international standards on lead thresholds for foodstuffs.
Answer: Lead is a naturally occurring contaminant in the environment. Independent scientific expert groups advise that exposure to lead should be reduced as much as possible. Maximum levels are set on the ‘as low as reasonably achievable’ basis. Levels focus on f...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament recordLead: ContaminationDepartment for Environment, Food and Rural AffairsTabled 4 Oct 2024AnsweredUIN 6203More
Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, what recent discussions he has had with the (a) Food Standards Agency and (b) Committee on Toxicity on the potential risks of lead contamination in the UK food chain.
Answer: Defra officials and Ministers have regular meetings with the Food Standards Agency (FSA) where a range of issues are discussed and I last met with Professor Susan Jebb on 5 September. Ministers have had no specific discussions on this with the Committee o...
Answered 9 Oct 2024
Original Parliament record
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