§ 3.5 p.m.
§ LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCHMy 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 what inquiries have been made to ascertain the extent to which foodstuffs are contaminated with (a) DDT and other chlorinated hydrocarbons, (b) organophosphorous pesticides, and (c) other types of pesticide; and what is the result of such investigation.]
THE JOINT PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE, FISHERIES AND FOOD (LORD ST. OSWALD)My Lords, in accordance with the recommendation of the Research Study Group on the use of toxic chemicals in agriculture, surveys are being undertaken to determine chlorinated hydrocarbon, including DDT, residues in home-produced and imported mutton, in home-produced milk, and in both home-produced and imported butter; also to determine residues of certain organophosphorus compounds in imported apples and imported wheat, and lead arsenate in imported apples. None of these more recent investigations has yet reached a stage where results are available.
In addition, surveys to determine chlorinated hydrocarbon residues in home-produced potatoes and carrots, and certain organophosphorus compound residues in home-produced lettuce and brassicæ, have been planned and will commence next year. Surveys have been made to determine residues of demeton methyl, an organophosphorus compound, on brassicæ; of arsenic in 974 potatoes; of mercury in tomatoes; and of lead and arsenic in apples. The results of these surveys showed that there was no hazard to consumers of the crops sampled.
§ LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCHMy Lords, may I ask the noble Lord whether the last part of his reply is intended to cover all the substances which he has mentioned?
LORD ST. OSWALDMy Lords, it is intended to cover all the substances which I mentioned in the last part of my reply.
§ LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCHMy Lords, I am sorry to say that the noble Lord's Answer was not as clear as it might have been. Does it not show that we are very belated in attempting to deal with this extremely urgent problem, one which is fraught with very great dangers for the health of human beings? And when will the result of these investigations be published?
LORD ST. OSWALDNo, my Lords. I cannot agree with the noble Lord. The only results so far obtained arc reassuring, and the Government know nothing to give cause to fear that food in this country is contaminated with toxic pesticide chemicals to a degree which is dangerous to human health.
§ LORD SHACKLETONMy Lords, what is the noble Lord's evidence for saying that there was no hazard? The only claim the Minister has is that there is no evidence of hazard. Until we have lived another twenty years, we probably shall not know how far we have been poisoned.
LORD ST. OSWALDMy Lords, the Ministry's scientists are satisfied (I can only repeat my words) that there was no hazard to consumers of the crops sampled.
§ BARONESS SUMMERSKILLMy Lords, is the Minister completely satisfied about the antibiotics given to animals?
§ LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCHMy Lords, may I ask the Minister how it 975 can be that he and his advisers are satisfied about this matter, when they do not yet know the extent to which food is contaminated?
LORD ST. OSWALDMy Lords, I am sorry that my Answer, which I read as slowly as I could, does not satisfy the noble Lord. I thought that it would satisfy him on that very question. I would ask him to read it in the OFFICIAL REPORT to-morrow, and I hope that he will then be reassured. If he is still not reassured, perhaps we can have a talk about it, but I hope that he will be.
§ LORD DOUGLAS OF BARLOCHMy Lords, if the noble Lord has this information, will he make it public?
LORD ST. OSWALDMy Lords, the positive information I have in my possession I have already given to the noble Lord.