HC Deb 05 December 1962 vol 668 cc205-6W
Mr. Farr

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when, in conjunction with the Secretary of State for Scotland, he will initiate a comprehensive inquiry into the effect upon agriculture, upon public health and upon the ecology of the country of all chemicals used in agriculture as recommended in the Sixth Report of the Estimates Committee of Session 1960–61.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

For the reasons stated in the observations on the Sixth Report of the Estimates Committee, which were laid before the House on 20th December, 1961, a further general enquiry is considered unnecessary.

Mr. Farr

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has revised the notification scheme for chemicals used in agriculture in accordance with the recommendations of the Sixth Report of the Estimates Committee of Session 1960–61 appertaining to field trials.

Mr. Scott-Hopkins

The nature of the notification scheme and the action taken on the recommendation of the Sixth Report of the Estimates Committee were set out in the observations on the Report, which were laid before the House on 20th December, 1961. I am satisfied that the notification scheme now meets the Estimates Committee's criteria.