§ 23. Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEasked the Minister of Health whether he has received any complaints from local authorities that the words Unfit for babies on tins of condensed skimmed milk are not large enough to attract the notice of the public; whether he is aware that, in some cases, the tins bear the words Give it to infants in equally large letters; and whether he proposes to take any action to protect the health of the public either by prohibiting the importation of this article or by insisting on more conspicuous lettering?
§ 25. Mr. LAMBasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the practice of selling by retail tins of imported machine-skimmed condensed milk which are labelled unfit for infants in accordance with the Regulations, but are contained in a wrapper which hides that warning; and whether he has received any representations in regard to the necessity that exists for greater prominence being given to the warning in question for the protection of the consuming public?
§ 30. Major KINDERSLEYasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that whereas a Regulation is in force which compels importers of skimmed condensed milk to mark the labels unfit for babies, the size of the lettering is very small and is probably often overlooked; and whether he will take steps to see that the Regulation is made more effective by insisting on larger lettering?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI will, with permission, answer these three questions together. I have received some representations as to the size of the type used for the words "Unfit for babies" on tins of condensed skimmed milk, but I have no record of any such complaints from local authorities, and, in my opinion, the type is not too small to attract the notice of the public. My attention has not been drawn to the practice of selling tins in wrappers, but seeing that the wrapper must necessarily be removed before the tin is opened, I doubt if it can have any permanent effect in concealing the warning from the purchaser. I am not aware that the words "Give it to infants" are being used on tins, and I should be glad to receive particulars of any instance in which they are so used. The Regulations expressly provide that there shall not be placed on any tin containing this article any comment on, explanation of, or reference to the words "Unfit for babies."
§ Lieut.-Colonel ACLAND-TROYTEIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Croydon Town Council last week passed a resolution on the subject of the size of the lettering; and, further, can he say whether any preservatives are used in this article?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI must have notice of the last part of the question. I am not aware of the resolution of the 567 Croydon Town Council, but perhaps I shall receive it later.
§ Mr. SHEPHERDIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the tins are generally opened at the top without disturbing the wrapper at all?
§ Mr. SHEPHERDWill the right hon. Gentleman get a tin and open it himself, and he will easily understand how it is done.
§ 24. Mr. LAMBasked the Minister of Health what Regulations, comparable to the Milk and Dairies Order, 1926, are in force in the countries from which machine-skimmed condensed milk is imported into Great Britain?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI understand that most of the imports of machine-skimmed condensed milk come from the Netherlands and Denmark. It would be impossible to give a detailed account of the regulations in force in those countries in the course of an answer to a question, but I am advised that in practice the conditions imposed are comparable in aim and effect with those laid down in this country.