HC Deb 01 July 1931 vol 254 cc1277-8 The following questions stood upon the Order Paper in the name of Sir THOMAS INSKIP 58. To ask the Minister of Health whether the use of chemicals such as suphur dioxide or lime as preservatives will be allowed in the case of foreign strawberry pulp about to be imported during the next four weeks; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent the risk of injury to health by the use of such preservatives? 59. To ask the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the importation of foreign strawberry pulp, dressed with sulphur dioxide or other chemicals as preservatives, is about to take place; and whether he is prepared to take such steps as may be open to him to prevent such importation and, if so, what steps?
Sir THOMAS INSKIP

On a point of Order. May I direct attention to the fact that Question No. 59, which is more or less a repetition of Question No. 58, was addressed to the Minister of Agriculture, and has been transferred, without my consent, to the Ministry of Health? I beg to put Question No. 58.

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Miss Lawrence)

I will, with the hon. and learned Member's permission, answer these two questions together. Under the Preservatives Regulations, the only chemical preservatives allowed in strawberry pulp are sulphur dioxide and sulphites. My right hon. Friend understands that the use of these preservatives, is regarded as a commercial necessity for both home-produced and foreign fruit, and, in view of the small residual amount allowed in the jam made from the pulp, he does not think that he would be justified in amending the Regulations so as to prohibit their use.

Sir T. INSKIP

Is the hon. Lady aware that there are large quantities of strawberries awaiting picking in Hampshire which cannot be put on the market owing to the competition of this chemically dressed foreign pulp?

Miss LAWRENCE

I have no information on that point, but this I do know, that the Fruit Manufacturers' Federation are at present pressing us to allow the percentage of sulphur to be slightly increased in English jam, for the benefit of the trade

Mr. WEST

Is it not the fact that the great bulk of this foreign pulp is imported by supporters of the party opposite?

Mr. HASLAM

Will the hon. Lady put it to the Minister that jams made from such pulp, containing sulphur dioxide, should be labelled as such, so that the buying public may know what they are buying?