HC Deb 13 May 1970 vol 801 cc1220-2
9. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is satisfied that weedkillers containing 2,4,5-T present no hazard to human life; and whether he will ban the use of such products while doubt remains in scientific opinion regarding the side-effects of this chemical.

13. Mr. Woodnutt

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in view of the ban imposed by the Forestry Commission on the use of the weedkiller 2,4,5-T, if he will take steps to ban its distribution and use throughout the United Kingdom until the results of the investigations of his advisory committee on pesticides and other toxic chemicals are known.

28. Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will ban the use of 2,4,5-T in weedkillers, pending results from the advisory committee's inquiry into its safety so far as human beings are concerned.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

New evidence from the United States of America is under consideration by the Advisory Committee. Preliminary study has not revealed anything to enable me to add to my reply of 22 April, but I will make a further statement very shortly when the committee has completed its consideration of the evidence.—[Vol. 800, c.113–4.]

Mr. Crouch

I am grateful to the right hon. Gentleman for that careful answer. Would he bear in mind that there is a feeling in the country that the extensive use of weedkillers can lead to dangers, particularly to human life, and that there is the thought that 2,4,5-T may produce this danger? Will he ensure that manufacturers and users observe careful control of this dangerous chemical?

Mr. Hughes

I appreciate what the hon. Gentleman has said and the concern of hon. and right hon. Gentlemen throughout the House about this. The House will agree that I have not been slow in taking action where I have had the evidence clearly before me. In this case, I feel that my committee should be enabled to look at the voluminous evidence coming from the United States, and I have asked it to report as quickly as possible.

Mr. Woodnutt

As the Forestry Commission has seen fit to ban this chemical, and as it has also been banned in the United States, would the Minister not be wise, while his investigation is going on, to ban its complete use until the result of the investigations is known?

Mr. Hughes

It would be wrong for a Minister to ban a weedkiller or anything else without having the advice of British scientists and Government committees. This could lead to general public alarm without necessarily any justification. I seek to take a balanced view of these things after proper consideration. As for the Forestry Commission, the hon. Gentleman knows that it suspended the use of 2,4,5-T as a management decision following special representations from the unions. It has made it clear that its decision was not made on grounds of safety.

10. Mr. Woodnutt

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if the ban imposed by the Forestry Commission on the use of the weedkiller 2,4.5-T will result in a reduction in the proposed redundancies of manual workers employed by the commission.

Mr. Cledwyn Hughes

The Forestry Commission has not imposed a ban on the use of 2,4,5-T, but has temporarily suspended its use at the request of the unions pending the result of the review to which I referred in my reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Fife, West (Mr. William Hamilton) on 22nd April. This suspension will have no effect on redundancy.—[Vol. 800, c.113–4]

Mr. Woodnutt

Bearing in mind what I have been told by the Forestry Commission, that this is the most economical way of dealing with this wood weed, does this not mean that if it has to be dealt with manually more men will be required? Is it not ridiculous to cut a force of 28 men down to a low figure such as 12?

Mr. Hughes

These are matters which we shall have to consider, as I said in my Answer to the previous Question, when the report of the committee is before us. At the moment, the redundancy question is unaffected. If a ban is effected we shall have to consider the position in the light of the new situation. I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's concern for his constituents, and I shall be glad to discuss it with him if it becomes necessary to impose any sort of ban.