Oral Answers to Questions — Government Departments. – in the House of Commons am ar 23 Gorffennaf 1925.
Mr Thomas Lowth
, Manchester Ardwick
asked the Minister of Health whether it has been represented to him by responsible trade organisations that the prohibition of preserva- tives in such articles as bacon, butter, margarine, and eggs will result in an increase in the cost of such goods to the consumer; and whether he has made any, and what, inquiry to ascertain whether or not such representations are well founded?
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:
Yes, Sir. The trade Opposition to the prohibition of preservatives in food has in some cases taken the form of an allegation that the prohibition would increase the cost of the food. It is impossible, definitely, to prove or to rebut an allegation of this kind, but I do not think that there is any adequate ground for supposing that the prohibition of preservatives will cause an increase in prices if a sufficient period is allowed to enable the necessary changes to be effected.
Mr John Sutton
, Manchester Clayton
asked the Minister of Health whether independent scientific investigations have been made by his Department as to the physiological effect of the use of preservatives in food; whether any, and what, offers have been made by manufacturers or others to combine with the Department in pursuing such investigations: and whether he will arrange for inquiry to be pursued, by means of independent investigation, be-fore proposing final Regulations dealing with the subject?
Mr. CHAMBERLAIN:
The physiological effect of the use of preservatives in food was one of the matters considered by the recent Departmental Committee on Preservatives and Colouring Matters in Food, which included a number of distinguished physiologists, in no way connected with the Government or the trades concerned. I have had an offer from one large firm interested in the production of boron compounds, to co-operate in a further inquiry into the effect of the consumption of small quantities of such compounds in food, but, having regard to the full consideration which was given to this matter by the Committee, I do not think it necessary to institute any further inquiry.
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