§ 28. Mr. A. M. SAMUELasked the Minister of Agriculture what experiments have been made by or on behalf of his Department for the purpose of ascertaining the best methods of canning, bottling or otherwise preserving herrings and pilchards, with vegetables, herbs, fruits and spices, on the lines adopted by the preserved fruit trades in America and on the Continent of Europe?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Noel Buxton)In 1928 the Department of Overseas Trade collected for the National Food Canning Council samples of all kinds of canned and preserved fish from all the main packing countries in the world. These samples have been examined by the firms engaged or interested in the canning or preserving of fish in this country. The individual firms have been making tests and experiments as to the commercial possibility of packing similar products on similar lines.
§ Mr. SAMUELIf the right hon. Gentleman reads the question, he will see that I did not ask about the Department of Overseas Trade, because I know that for myself; I asked what his Department is doing?
§ Mr. BUXTONMy Department are pursuing investigations as to fishery supplies suited to canning.
§ Mr. SAMUELIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Department of Overseas Trade made these inquiries four years ago, and has not the Minister of Agriculture yet done anything with the information at their disposal to move in the matter?