Question
To ask Her Majesty’s Government, further to the Written Answers by Earl Howe on 22 November (WA 222), whether the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority (HFEA) followed its stated policy of not commenting on persons responsible and nominal licensees with respect to Dr Mohamed Taranissi; and whether the HFEA will clarify the circumstances under which someone who had been both the person responsible for research licence R0075 and the nominal licensee for research licence R0133 at a time when concerns over properly informed consent were raised had previously or subsequently worked for the authority.
Answer
As I advised the noble Lord in my answer of 22 November 2011 (Official Report, col. WA 222) the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority has advised that it is its policy not to comment on its relationship with any persons responsible or nominal licensee. As regards the issue raised by the research licences cited, the authority has also advised that it is confident that it has adequate governance arrangements in place.