§ 8. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for Education and Science what research has been conducted, or is being conducted, by the Meat Research Institute into the nutritional value of the food produced at factory farms.
§ Sir E. BoyleSome work has been done at the Low Temperature Research Station and elsewhere on the meat quality of broiler chickens. Little difference could be detected between the meat of these birds and that of poultry produced under other systems. The general subject of research into meat quality will be within the scope of two institutes, the Food Research Institute and the Meat Research Institute, which are now being established.
§ Mr. RankinThe Question is not concerned merely with birds but with all animals which are reared on factory farms. Is the Minister aware that to compensate for the unnatural conditions in which these animals are reared they are given, at appropriate times, estrogens, antibiotics, tranquillisers and a little arsenic? Have his researches shown whether or not unassimilated residues of these drugs are in the flesh of 1197 the animals before they are killed? Is he certain that when that flesh appears on the table to be consumed by human beings it does not contain these drugs?
§ Sir E. BoyleI cannot answer in detail the point the hon. Member raises about arsenic. The Ministry of Agriculture has made some comparisons between broiler and roasting chickens produced on free range and has found that there is no significant difference from the point of view of nutrition. Likewise, the Low Temperature Research Station is studying the shell strength of eggs and has so far found that battery produced eggs have shells no weaker than those produced in other conditions.
§ Sir J. MaitlandIs any progress being made in the production of proteins from vegetable matter, which is one of the experiments being carried out and which has a bearing on this Question?
§ Sir E. BoylePerhaps my hon. Friend will put down a Question on that topic.
§ Mr. RankinIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that in America the factory farm is proportionately much more used than in this country as a source of food supply? Is he also aware that in America more school children die from cancer than from any other disease? Has he thought of trying to discover, through his research department, whether the growth of cancer in this country is in any way related to the growth of the factory farm?
§ Sir E. BoyleI can assure the hon. Gentleman and the House that there is no known connection between these facts.
§ Mr. WilleyDoes not the inability of the right hon. Gentleman to reply to these question show ridiculous it is to saddle him with these diverse responsibilities?