§ Mr. Wiggasked the Lord President of the Council and Minister for Science what research has been carried out by the Medical Research Council into the consumption of instant coffee as a cause of cancer; with what result; and whether he will make a statement.
§ Mr. HoggNone. A recent Press report asserted that exhaustive research by the Medical Research Council had revealed that some brands of instant coffee contain an additive capable of causing cancer, and that a report on the subject was being prepared by the Council for the Government. I am informed that no such report is being prepared, and that widespread inquiries amongst the Council's scientific staff have failed to reveal any studies indicating the presence of a cancer-inducing additive in instant coffee.