HC Deb 08 March 1944 vol 397 cc2048-9
51. Sir H. Williams

asked the Minister of Food why he has refused permission for the sale of unfermented apple juice.

Colonel Llewellin

My hon. Friend is, I am afraid, misinformed. There is no prohibition on the sale of unfermented apple juice. This product as defined in the Soft Drinks Order, 1943, is expressly exempted from the control provisions of the Order.

Sir H. Williams

Do I understand that the lady who wrote to "The Times" and said she had 5,000 gallons and had been forbidden to sell it had been wrongly informed by an official of the Department?

Colonel Llewellin

I do not think that that would be a right inference at all.

Mr. Shinwell

Is it not clear from what we have heard that it is not the hon. Member who is concerned about this?

Mr. Edmund Harvey

Cannot the Ministry take some active steps to encourage the sale of this valuable product?

Colonel Llewellin

I believe that unfermented apple juice sells all right and that as much is being made as existing facilities will allow.

Mr. Driberģ

Is the right hon. and gallant Gentleman aware that the letter in "The Times" referred to brought hundreds of requests from schools, doctors and hospitals which the lady is unable to meet owing to the restrictions imposed by the Ministry?