HC Deb 21 July 1943 vol 391 cc896-7
55. Mr. Evelyn Walkden

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food to what extent blancmange powder, cornflour, milk and liquid sweetening materials are being made available to certain manufacturers for the production of ice-cream substitute; and whether he is aware that some of these foodstuffs are almost unobtainable in the grocery retail stores?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Mabane)

I am not in a position to state in general terms whether substitutes for ice-cream contain any or all of the ingredients used by firms in the manufacture of ice-cream the manufacture of which is prohibited by the Ice Cream (Prohibition of Manufacture and Sale) Order, 1942, (S.R. & 0. 1942, No. 1962), but it is not improbable that they do. With regard to the availability of blancmange powder, custard powder and cornflour in grocer shops, the Ministry release sufficient raw materials to permit the production of at least 70 per cent. of the quantities produced before the war. An increase in the volume of blancmange and custard powders production to about 80 per cent. will shortly be made.

Mr. Walkden

Does the hon. Gentleman not think it an extraordinary state of affairs that housewives cannot possibly obtain many of these ingredients and that ice-cream barrows can be seen almost every week-end hawking blancmange, chilled blancmange or frozen blancmange while the reputable firms have gone out of business because they have honoured the terms of the Order? Is not any action going to be taken?

Mr. Mabane

Yes, we are watching the matter very carefully, and I think that as regards ice-cream substitutes action will be taken very shortly.

Mr. McKinlay

Is the hon. Member not aware that a licence is necessary to sell these things in any form, and that those firms have no licence to do so?

Mr. Mabane

I think the hon. Member has put his finger on the spot.

Commander Agnew

Is it legal to sell as ice-cream any substitute?

Mr. Mabane

It is an offence to sell as ice-cream anything which is not ice-cream.

Commander Agnew

It is being done pretty frequently. Will my hon. Friend look into the matter?

Mr. Mabane

We are looking into it.