§ Mr. Allen McKayasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the EEC Ministers failing to agree to enlarge battery hen cages to 77 square inches, he will take a unilateral decision for this to be put into effect in the United Kingdom with a view to replacing battery hen production with a more acceptable method.
§ Mrs. Fenner:No. We consider it important that we secure improvements in the welfare of laying hens in the European Community as a whole. I remain optimistic that this can be achieved.