§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Secretary of State for Wales what information, if any, his Department has on the dangers to human health arising from the current levels of lead and zinc in Cardigan Bay.
§ Mr. Peter ThomasI have no information to suggest that the levels of lead and zinc in Cardigan Bay constitutes any danger to human health. The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food working party on the monitoring of foodstuffs for heavy metals reported in June 1972 that higher levels of lead were found in shellfish in some areas including Cardigan Bay than in shellfish generally. I have since had inquiries made with the medical officers of health in the Cardigan Bay area about the local consumption of shellfish from Cardigan Bay, but I understand this is not high and I am advised that there is no danger to health.