HL Deb 10 April 1962 vol 239 cc357-8

2.35 p m.

LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCH

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the first Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what are the constituents of the systemic insecticide sold under the name Abol-X, and what research has been done concerning its effects on human beings.]

THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (EARL WALDEGRAVE)

My Lords, the active ingredients of the garden insecticide sold under the name "Abol-X" are gamma-BHC, D.D.T. and menazon. The names of these ingredients are printed on the label of every container. This product has been given clearance under the Notification of Pesticides Scheme, on the recommendation of the Advisory Committee on Poisonous Substances. The three active ingredients have been individually tested for mammalian toxicity, and they are all of low toxicity.

LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCH

My Lords, is it not the case that these poisons are cumulative poisons and can have a cumulative effect in course of time? Secondly, although this information may be upon the label, what information is given to the consumer of the contents of the vegetables he eats?

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, I think that these ingredients are probably slightly cumulative. There are no recommendations on the tin of Abol-X as to how you should eat the vegetables. If this insecticide is used by gardeners in a sensible way according to the directions on the tin, there is no appreciable risk.

BARONESS SUMMER SKILL

My Lords, as the noble Earl has said that it has been tested for mammalian toxicity, may I ask him whether that includes homo sapiens?

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, I believe in certain cases. yes: but I am not perfectly certain of that without notice. But these ingredients have all been tested for mammalian toxicity.

LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCH

My Lords, is the noble Lord aware that in the United States there is legislation limiting the amount of residues of these poisons which may be left in any food, and that in New Zealand the use of D.D.T. has been prohibited in order to prevent butter and other substances from being contaminated by it?

EARL WALDEGRAVE

My Lords, I believe that there are regulations in the United States for permitted tolerances of residues in food substances, and I believe that in New Zealand certain regulations have been made with regard to D.D.T. But, without notice, I do not know the exact regulations.

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