§ 37. Major OWENasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that the prohibition of the use of preservatives in cream and butter as from 1st January next will inflict hardship on many farmers and smalholders in remote districts who will be deprived of the sale of their milk to factories; and whether, in view of the effect that the Order will have in increasing the cost of living to the public, he will reconsider the matter?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir. When my right hon. Friend made the Regulations, he did not overlook this aspect of the matter, and, after consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, he is satisfied that, subject to the exercise of reasonable care in the methods of production, the prohibition of the use of preservatives in cream and butter should not have the effect suggested by the hon. and gallant Member.
§ Major OWENCan the hon. Gentleman give any instance or instances of any deleterious effect caused to cream or butter by the use of boric?
§ Sir K. WOODI think that if the hon. and gallant Gentleman refers to the Report of the Departmental Committee which inquired into this matter, he will see the matter has been fully discussed there.
§ Major OWENIs it not a fact that since the application of the Order forbidding the use of preservatives in meat in July last, a great deal of loss has been caused to small tradesmen on account of the fact that meats—hams and bacon—go bad, and that the number of ptomaine poisoning cases has increased rather than decreased as a result?
§ Sir K. WOODNo, Sir, I am not aware of that, and I should regret it if it were so. My right hon. Friend is certainly of the opinion that if proper precautions are taken, there will be no difficulty such as the hon. and gallant Gentleman refers to.