HL Deb 25 July 1968 vol 295 cc1241-2

3.6 p.m.

LORD CROOK

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 whether they are aware of the public concern following Press reports of the recent speech of the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (when opening the extension to the laboratory of the British Industrial Biological Research Association, at Carshalton), in which he indicated:

  1. (a) that the need might arise for the work of the British Industrial Biological Research Association to be restricted, notwithstanding the finnancial support of the Ministry of Technology;
  2. (b) that this would reduce the essential work as to the safety of food additives;
  3. (c) that any such restriction would be due to the failure of numerous food firms to support and contribute to that research;
and, whether, in fairness to the firms who are contributing, Her Majesty's Government will make available a report on the valuable work of that association with a record of the financial support which is being accorded to it.]

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, no; I am not aware of any public concern. It is conceivable that the noble Lord saw an entirely misleading account of the Parliamentary Secretary's speech and I shall be pleased to send him a copy of the full text. The Parliamentary Secretary did not indicate any of the things enumerated in the noble Lord's Question. I will arrange to have copies of the Research Association's last Annual Report, which contains a list of subscribers, placed in the Library.

LORD CROOK

My Lords, may I thank the noble Baroness for her excellent reply? Will she understand that the reason for asking the Question is that the report by the Press was in exactly the terms that have been stated? Will she further understand that I shall be glad to have the correct report? Moreover, will she bear in mind, as representing the Government, that it is now some years since we had a chance of discussing the Research Association's Reports in this House?

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, yes; I take the noble Lord's point. Of course, Her Majesty's Government are very much concerned about the work of this Association. In view of the fact that the noble Lord himself is so knowledgeable on this matter in relation to additives now used in food, I will of course convey his observations to my right honourable friend.

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