§ Mr. D. E. Thomasasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will propose the introduction of measures specifying a minimum cage size of 600 sq cm for battery hens within the European Econornic Community.
§ Mrs. FennerThe Council directive adopted last month is based on a minimum space allowance of 450 sq cm for battery hens. The Government have already made clear their view that the directive did not go far enough to protect the welfare of battery hens, but that it represented the best that was negotiable at the present time. I see little point in trying to reopen the discussions now.