§ 36. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that the recently published National Food Survey, reprint 1955, relates to 1952; why these are so outdated; and when more recent surveys made by his Department will be available.
§ Mr. H. NichollsThe 1952 Report was actually published in November, 1954, and, as the hon. Lady states, the edition to which she refers is a reprint. In addition, the 1953 Report was published in September, 1955, and the 1954 Report will be published in August.
§ Mrs. MannCould the hon. Gentleman say whether his right hon. Friend reads his own Reports? Is he aware that he gave me a misleading and inaccurate reply last week regarding these Reports, in which he said that in respect of only two of the main nutrients were children below the standard set by the British Medical Association? His Report shows that on the eight main items these children were well below the standard set by the British Medical Association. His right hon. Friend said that in six of the items they were higher. Will he promise to read this Report, and read it without standing on his head?
§ Mr. NichollsThe hon. Lady has switched her supplementary question from what she asked in her main Question. In her main Question, she asks for the time taken to issue the Report. On that, we have a very good record indeed. She will see that the Report is now published after nineteen months, and in 1951 it took twenty-four months. If she wants further answers on the contents of the Report, perhaps she will put down Questions to my right hon. Friend.