§ 55. Mr. WESTWOODasked the Minister of Health if his attention has been drawn to the fact that James Proctor and Sons, Limited, Liverpool, have had to close down their barley mill as the result of the new Regluations governing the bleaching and preserving of pearl barley; that a Manchester firm, the only other barley millers in the district, closed down their mill in April, due to the same cause; and will he be prepared to revise the Regulations in their application to the use of sulphur dioxide in the milling of barley, with a view to avoiding the effect of these Regulations on the barley milling industry?
§ Sir K. WOODI am aware that the two firms in question have recently closed their mills. Seeing, however, that the Regulations apply equally to home-milled and imported barley and that the increase in the imports of pearl barley preceded the operation of the Regulations, my right hon. Friend is unable to accept the view that the closure of the mills is attributable to the Regulations, and he is not prepared to amend them in the sense suggested.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that both America and Germany have attempted to apply similar regulations, and have been compelled to withdraw them because of their impracticability?