HC Deb 28 July 1943 vol 391 c1576
60. Mr. Evelyn Walkden

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether the substitute ice-cream, recently introduced by certain manufacturers, contains any ingredients which are denied to any firm who have closed down their businesses in accordance with the Ice-cream (Prohibition of Manufacture and Sales) Order; and whether, in view of a recent test case at Clerkenwell, he proposes to amend the Order?

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

I would refer my hon. Friend to my answer to his Question on 21st July. In the recent prosecution at Clerkenwell the decision of the learned Magistrate was based on the fact that the article which was the subject of the prosecution was not ice cream within the meaning of the Order inasmuch as it was not frozen. No amendment of the Order is necessary because if the article in the Clerkenwell case was not ice cream it was presumably a food for the purpose of the Food (Manufactured and Pre-Packed Foods) Order (S.R. & O. 1942 No. 1863), and therefore its manufacture is regulated by that Order.

Mr. Walkden

Is my hon. Friend not aware that since this particular test case manufacturing depots have sprung up in all parts of the country like mushrooms and the more reputable firms that were manufacturing pure ice cream have been knocked clean out of business, while these funny folks are making a horrible concoction which is poisoning the children?

Mr. Mabane

They are not growing up quite like mushrooms, but they have been growing up and we are watching the position very carefully indeed.