Written Answers

Written Answers

Burial Law Reform

LORD GARDINER
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether the Minister for the Environment is in consultation with the Law Commission about the reform of our burial laws and when the necessary legislation is likely to be introduced.

LORD SANDFORD
Since I answered the noble and learned Lord's Question on this subject on June 17 last, my right honourable friend, the Secretary of State for the Environment, has been in consultation with the Law Commission. Part of the necessary legislation is included in the Local Government Bill which is  already being considered in another place. The Bill will reform most of the worst features of the existing burial law. My right honourable friend will continue to consult the Law Commission on the question of additional reform.

Bus-Only Lanes

LORD AVEBURY
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will issue a circular to local authorities asking them to give sympathetic consideration to requests from transport undertakings for bus-only lanes, such as the application by London Transport for a bus-only lane against the traffic flow from Piccadilly Circus to Green Park.

LORD SANDFORD
The need to give active help to buses has been emphasised by the issue of the Report of the Working Group on Bus Demonstration Projects and by the announcement in April, 1971, by the Minister for Transport Industries of the extension of Government grants towards the cost of providing bus lanes. Two further circulars issued recently have dealt with bus operation in pedestrian streets and with the traffic signs for reserved bus lanes.

Content Of Fish Fingers

LORD AVEBURY
asked Her Majesty's Government:Whether they will make it illegal to sell fish fingers containing less than 60 per cent. fish by weight.

LORD DENHAM
It is not proposed to introduce such legislation at present. Fish fingers are one of a group of coated fish products for which the possible need for standards was discussed in a report in 1970 by the Food Standards Committee. Following the full discussions on that occasion between the Committee and representatives of the industry, the latter is continuing research into suitable methods of analysis for weight, and is also considering the possible need by consumers of further information on composition. In the meantime, my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has been  assured by firms supplying almost the whole output of frozen coated fish products, that there is no substance in certain reports suggesting that the fish  content of any of these products has been reduced recently.House adjourned at five minutes before seven o'clock.