UK "GM Public Debate" - How to be "a pain"


Thanks to the people who have been in contact following the revelation
that Pat Wilson, of the "GM public debate" press office (run by the
DTI) thinks that I am "a pain"... His e-mail to me (sent in error) is
copied below...

I would like to offer everyone the opportunity to be "a pain" and 
ask "tedious questions", only in relation to the UK "GM public debate", 
of course... :-)

Here are some people to contact:

Malcolm Grant (Chair-"GM Public Debate")
mjg25@cam.ac.uk

Richard Abel (Steering board secretariat)
Richard.Abel@dti.gsi.gov.uk 

Pat Wilson ("GM Public Debate" press office)
Pat.Wilson@dti.gsi.gov.uk
0207 215 3863 

Lucian Hudson (Director of Communications-DEFRA)
lucian.hudson@defra.gsi.gov.uk

John Krebs (Chair-Food Standards Agency)
john.krebs@foodstandards.gsi.gov.uk

David King (UK Government Chief Scientific Advisor)
david.king@dti.gsi.gov.uk

plus:

Catherine Blizzard (COI)
Pete Board (COI) 
Judith Brooke (COI)
Rosy Day (COI)
John Kelly (independent social researcher) 
Humphrey Pring (COI)
Christine Roberts (COI)

firstname.lastname@coi.gsi.gov.uk

Here are some sample questions you might like to ask, with some URLs
for more information:

* "What is the objective of the "GM public debate"?"

* "Why are the dates, times and agendas of workshops relating to the
"GM public debate" being held in secret?"
http://www.gmpublicdebate.org.uk/press/press_14112002.htm

* "How will UK citizens be able to provide input to the "GM Public
Debate"?"

* "How was John Kelly appointed by the COI and what was his role
before being involved in the "GM public debate"?"
http://www.gmpublicdebate.org.uk/minutes/minutes_20020923.htm

* "How much is the "GM Public Debate" costing?"

* Perhaps, most importantly "If the UK public decides at the end of
the "GM public debate" that it does not want GM crops/GM food, will
the commercialisation still proceed?"

* "Why does no-one involved in the "GM public debate" answer questions
such as these?"

Remember: Be firm and be polite - if you don't get answers to
questions then keep asking until you do... ;-)

Look forward to hearing what responses you receive. For a collection
of more info, including some press reaction to the "GM Public Debate"
see http://www.gmfoodnews.com/gmpubdeb.html

Thanks & regards
Marcus Williamson
Editor, Genetically Modified Food-News
http://www.gmfoodnews.com/




To: "'marcus.williamson@myrealbox.com'"
<marcus.williamson@myrealbox.com>,
   humphrey.pring@coi.gsi.gov.uk
Subject: RE: John Kelly - reply requested
From: "Wilson Pat (New Accounts)" <Pat.Wilson@dti.gsi.gov.uk>
Date: Wed, 13 Nov 2002 10:46:39 -0000
Cc: christine.roberts@coi.gsi.gov.uk,
catherine.blizzard@coi.gsi.gov.uk

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This man is a pain. He seems to communicate only by e'mail. I have
three times sent him various answers to his tedious questions and made
the point that I am the person he has to deal with and he should ring
me if there is any more he wants.(I dont have his phone number). He
never rings but persists with this tiresome e'mail questsions to you !

Maybe he has no telephone.Tell him he has to deal with me if you get
him again.

Pat