§ Mr. Frank Fieldasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the 727W Government's attitude to the proposed changes in European Economic Community regulations on the size of battery hen cages.
§ Mrs. FennerWe attach importance to reaching Communitywide agreement on a new directive laying down minimum welfare standards for laying hens in battery cages.
As the House was informed yesterday, this issue was further examined by the Council of Agriculture Ministers on 9/10 December, but no conclusions were reached. Discussions are expected to resume on 19 December.