§ Mr. Carterasked the Secretary of State for Social Services, if he has studied legislation governing the effect on health of lead pollution in both the United States of America and the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics, copies of which are in his possession; and if he will introduce similar legislation.
§ Mr. AlisonThe total intake of lead into the human body is derived from a number of sources: food, drinking water, the air breathed (which includes lead from petrol and other fuels), accidental exposure to lead and lead from industrial sources.
Legislation for the control of lead pollution of the environment is the responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for the Environment, who has under review important similar legislation in other countries.
Legislation on lead in food is the joint responsibility of my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food and myself. We have no indication that the Lead in Foods Regulations (1961) at present needs revision.