§ MR. O'MALLEY (Galway, Connemara)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to proceedings taken at Brentford with reference to the presence of boracic acid in potted ham; and whether, in view of the uneasiness existing in the public mind with reference to canned foods, he will make inquiries upon the subject, and give information to the House as to the view of his Department on the use of preservatives in food.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I have seen a newspaper report of the proceedings mentioned. Inquiries with regard to canned foods are being made by officers of the Local Government Board. The whole question of preservatives in food has received the attention of the Board. It has been investigated by a Departmental Committee appointed by them, and recently they have issued a circular with regard to preservatives in milk. Other branches of the subject are now under their consideration.