HC Deb 11 May 1914 vol 62 cc727-8
80. Mr. HARRISON-BROADLEY

asked the President of the Local Government. Board whether, in view of the fact that the Local Government Board has by Regulations specified the exact size of declaratory labels, wording of the same, and the style of type to be used and attached to receptacles containing preserved cream, he will now add to those Regulations what percentage of boric acid is permissible as a preservative; and whether he is aware that, owing to the absence of any legal standard, prosecutions are taking place in various parts of the country against dairymen, grocers, and others retailing cream, for selling cream containing boric acid alleged to be injurious to health, the quantities contained therein having been approved by the medical profession, and the necessity for the use of some preservative having been recognised by the Local Government Board?

81. Mr. BUTCHER

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a Regulation made by the Local Government Board on the 1st August, 1912, permits the use of boric acid as a preservative for cream and the sale of cream containing such preservative, and prescribes that labels must be used in connection with such sale stating the percentage of boric acid used as such preservative; whether he is aware that this Regulation does not prescribe what should be the maximum percentage of boric acid so used; whether he is aware that prosecutions have been instituted and convictions obtained against sellers of preserved cream in cases where the percentage of boric acid is considerably below the amount of 5 per cent., which has been in general use by the trade for the last thirty years, and even below the amount of 4 per cent., which was stated by Dr. Hamill, one of the officers of the Local Government Board, to be requisite to preserve cream in hot weather; and whether, in order to safeguard retailers of preserved cream from harassing and unwarranted prosecutions, he will issue a new Regulation prescribing what is the maximum percentage of boric acid permissible for preserving cream?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Agriculture on this matter.

Mr. BUTCHER

In view of the great inconvenience caused by delay will the right hon. Gentleman take steps as early as possible in the matter?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

Yes, I am dealing with it now.