HC Deb 02 December 1953 vol 521 cc1147-8
28. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

asked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the fact that scientific investigation in the United States of America has established that the waste products and offals of poultry which have been subjected to modern chemical methods of caponising should not be fed to any class of livestock including pigs, he can state on What precise grounds his own scientific advisers have reached the conclusion that human beings can safely consume such materials; and whether he will issue a detailed report from his advisers on this subject with the object of allaying public alarm.

Major Lloyd George

I cannot accept my hon. and gallant Friend's view of the results of scientific investigation in the United States. There are no grounds for concern in this matter, and I do not think it necessary to issue any report.

Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

If the injected pellet affects all the parts of the cockerel, why should it not affect the flesh? How can a housewife tell whether a cockerel has been caponised, how long it has been caponised and what precautions it is absolutely necessary for her to take, and who tells her what the precautions are?

Major Lloyd George

I am sorry that I cannot answer all those questions. I am not a scientific man but, from the inquiries I have made, I am told that the eating of the offal of a treated cockerel would have no detectable effect on human beings. If my hon. and gallant Friend would care to do so, I should be very glad for him to come and have a talk with my scientific advisers.

Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenport

Has my right hon. and gallant Friend read the advisory leaflet issued by his right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, which describes in detail what happens to these cockerels when they are caponised? Is he aware that if the carcass or the neck are boiled down into concentrated soups, the wretched public might caponise themselves?

Major Lloyd George

All I can say is that it never occurred to me.

Mr. McGovern

Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I shall raise this matter on the Adjournment as soon as possible.

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