HC Deb 19 February 1941 vol 369 cc157-8
57. Sir Ernest Graham-Little

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he will cause evidence to be published in regard to the percentage of the population who, under the present dietary regime, are exhibiting calcium deficiency; and will he also publish a statement by a recognised medical authority that the added calcium will in no circumstances injure health, or else withdraw the proposal?

Major Lloyd George

Evidence that a considerable proportion of the population lives on diets which do not supply sufficient calcium for a desirable nutritional condition has been provided by dietary surveys. This evidence has been accepted by the leading nutritional experts at such representative conferences as the Technical Commission on Nutrition of the Health Organisation of the League of Nations, and has been published in the reports of the League of Nations. My Noble Friend will consider the last part of my hon. Friend's Question before a decision is taken as to the quantity of calcium salts to be added to flour.

Sir E. Graham-Little

Will my hon. and gallant Friend keep in mind that this is a question to be determined by clinical observation and not by laboratory experiments, and will he see that the medical authority consulted has the necessary clinical equipment?

58. Sir E. Graham-Little

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that the Medical Research Council is at present examining all the aspects of the proposal to add calcium to bread, and not merely the quantity and methods; and why this problem had not been fully investigated before the Government announced its intention to add calcium to flour?

Major Lloyd George

My hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. The Medical Research Council made its recommendation before the Government announcement to which reference is made in the Question.