Press briefing: afternoon 20 June 2013
The Prime Minister's Spokesperson (PMS) answered questions on genetically modified foods, lending and the Care Quality Commission.
Genetically modified (GM) foods
Asked a question on GM food, the Prime Minister’s Spokesperson (PMS) said the key point was about ensuring there was a regulatory approach that was properly science led. He said the Prime Minister believed there was a role for GM crops and the right thing to do was to consider applications on a case by case basis, while always being informed by the most up-to-date scientific advice. Asked whether the Prime Minister would buy GM food, the PMS said the point the government wanted to make was about the importance of being open to arguments about science, but what shoppers chose to buy would be a matter for them.
Lending
Asked whether there would be an impact on government lending targets following the Prudential Regulation Authority’s announcement that banks should increase their capital assets, the PMS said that this showed the new regulatory system was in action. He said that the right thing to do was to have a strong and safe financial sector and this was one of the reasons the government had overhauled the regulatory structure. He pointed out that there were a number of government lending schemes and these played an important role in supporting the economy.
Care Quality Commission
Asked whether police were investigations allegations of a cover up by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the PMS said that this would be a matter for the police. More widely, he made the point that it was absolutely right that the Health Secretary was asking the CQC to report back to him about how individuals could be held to account. Asked whether individuals involved would be named, the PMS said he understood that the CQC would publish names and that this was the right decision.