HL Deb 15 July 1969 vol 304 cc124-5

2.16 p.m.

LORD CHORLEY

My 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 whether they will now set up a strict control over the sale and use of D.D.T. in this country.]

LORD HILTON OF UPTON

My Lords, D.D.T. is among the chemicals which are under further review by the Advisory Committee on Pesticides and Other Toxic Chemicals. The Committee's Report is expected to be completed late this summer. My right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and his right honourable friends are satisfied that meanwhile no change is required in the arrangements for the safe use of pesticides in this country.

LORD CHORLEY

My Lords, I thank the Minister for that reply. I should like to ask him this question. Is he aware of the widespread fear among people that D.D.T., which is an exceptionally stable chemical and poison and which may build up for years in the liver of an animal whether human or otherwise, is likely over the years to cause very serious danger both to the animal world and to humans? Is the Minister also aware that in Sweden, Denmark and in several States of the United States of America D.D.T. has already been brought under strict control, and does he not think that, as a matter of urgency, we should be following their example?

LORD HILTON OF UPTON

My Lords, I am quite aware of the things which my noble friend has pointed out. I am also aware of the action which is being taken in Sweden and in other countries, but I would remind my noble friend that each country is different from the other; and I think, in view of the fact that this Report is expected late this summer, and all the indications are that we are getting on towards late summer, it would be best to await the Report before we make any observations on this matter.

LORD NEWTON

My Lords, it may well be that we have not to wait very much longer, but have not the Government been waiting a very long time indeed before making any decision about D.D.T.? Would not the noble Lord agree that now virtually nobody doubts that D.D.T. is, as the noble Lord, Lord Chorley, said, a highly stable and persistent chemical; and furthermore that there are other equally effective chemicals which are not persistent?

LORD HILTON OF UPTON

My Lords, it is true, as the noble Lord has said, that all sorts of things have to be taken into consideration. That is why I believe it is important that we get the Report to which I have referred so that we know where to start.

LORD CHORLEY

My Lords, may I put this point to the Minister? It is quite true that countries are different, but the human body is the same and reacts in the same way to poison whatever country it happens to inhabit.