§ 4. Mr. Ellis Smithasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will now make a full report upon the effect of industrial fluorosis on the animals at the Fenton Manor Farm; what mineral supplement deposits 1421 have been found on the vegetation there; what clinical symptoms of fluorosis have affected the teeth, bones, and weight of animals, the milk production, and the development of calves on that farm; and what is the effect of these mineral deposits on human beings.
Mr. AmoryThis is a complex problem. I am having a detailed note prepared for the hon. Gentleman and will send it to him in a day or two.
§ Mr. Ellis SmithWill the Minister convey to his staff, especially the medical and scientific people, both men and women, that we greatly appreciate the work which they are doing, but that this is now becoming an urgent matter?
Mr. AmoryI agree about the importance of the matter. The hon. Member knows that for various reasons these experiments are taking longer than we originally intended. I think that it will be a year or two yet before we get a final report, but I will give the hon. Member all the interim information which is available.
Mrs. SlaterAs these experiments have been continuing for a long time, almost four years, is it not possible for the right hon. Gentleman to come to some conclusion about them? The results at Fenton Manor Farm are very evident. Will he give us some information about the effects on human beings, because the danger is increasing and nothing is being done about it?
Mr. AmoryThe hon. Lady will agree that it is very difficult to hurry scientific research if one is to get full advantage from the result. I can assure her that those conducting the experiments realise the need to produce final results at the earliest possible moment.