§ 3.15 p.m.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The Question was as follows:
§ To ask Her Majesty's Government how many scientists are directly engaged in research, and what is the total expenditure, on the side effects, especially long-term ones, of the use of toxic and other chemicals on all kinds of wild life in the fields:—
- (a) by Government Departments and Research Councils;
- (b) by manufacturers of these chemicals.]
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, research on the effect of toxic chemicals on wild life is at present carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, the Nature Conservancy and the Laboratory of the Government Chemist. Nine scientists are engaged directly in the work, at an annual cost of about £20,000. In addition, a substantial amount of related work is undertaken in the programme of the Agricultural Research Council. I understand that manufacturers of the chemicals are also carrying out research on the problem, but I have no details of the staff and expenditure involved.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, I should like to ask whether the noble Viscount can substantiate the statement made by the noble Earl, Lord Walde-grave, that manufacturers are doing a great deal of research on this subject. Since my information is that they are doing no ecological research, I was wondering whether the Government could now put the record straight.
§ VISCOUNT HAILSHAMMy Lords, all I can say is that I have no details of the staff and expenditure involved, which would be the measure of the extent of the research. It may be that, since the noble Lord has put a supplementary question, I can seek to find out whether further information is available. But certainly those who are responsible for helping me with this Answer have no more details than I have.