HC Deb 11 March 1965 vol 708 cc609-11
21. Mr. Dodds

asked the Secretary of State for Education and Science if he is aware of the increasing public concern about pest killers used as crop sprays as possible hazards to public health, birds, animals, and trees, and the lack of know- ledge of what may be the danger level; and whether he will institute fresh inquiries into this matter.

Mr. Prentice

Yes, Sir. The Advisory Committee on Pesticides and other Toxic Chemicals is already engaged at the request of the Government, in reviewing the present arrangements for the safe use of pesticides in agriculture and food storage. The Committee is now considering evidence submitted in response to its inquiries and will submit its recommendations to my right hon. Friend in due course.

Mr. Dodds

Is my hon. Friend aware that, despite the many official statements which have been made from time to time, there is a growing uneasiness that all is not well in this respect? Is he aware that, while it is welcome that certain persistent pesticides have been withdrawn, there is much grave concern about the arrangements for the remainder, particularly D.D.T.? Has he noticed that this week the American Public Health Department has voted £4 million for research into this because of the alarm in America? Can we see a greater sense of urgency here?

Mr. Prentice

As my hon. Friend probably knows, there is an arrangement which is operated under the auspices of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and which is a voluntary arrangement between the firms concerned and the Government on this. What this Committee is now doing is looking at whether this is sufficient and whether other arrangements are needed. They are aware of the urgency of the problem and the great public concern to which my hon. Friend has referred.

Mr. Rankin

Is my hon. Friend aware that, long after these pesticides are banned by the Government, they are still being used, because they are stockpiled? Does he realise that Goldie was safer in Regent's Park than he was in the Highlands of Scotland, because there were no pesticides in Regent's Park?

Mr. Prentice

I must admit that I was not aware of the point about Goldie. On the wider issue, this is precisely why the Committee has been asked by the Government to consider whether the voluntary arrangement should be replaced by something more secure.

Sir Knox Cunningham

Would the hon. Gentleman make certain that the facts about this are known and published, because there is very wide concern among the public that birds and animals are being wiped out by these pesticides? Would those facts be made known? If they can be reassuring, so much the better. If not, can we get on with the job and take some action?

Mr. Prentice

I think that this is another way of saying that the Committee should do its work as quickly as possible. We all agree with that, but it has a complicated job to do. The Committee is studying evidence at the moment. It would probably study further evidence, if the hon. and learned Member has any in mind.