§ 47. Mr. Keelingasked the Minister of Food what proportion of each of the different British jams made this year was fresh fruit; and what proportion consisted of other ingredients besides sugar.
§ 79. Lieut.-Colonel Liptonasked the Minister of Food what is meant by special fruit standard and full fruit standard; what other categories of jam are made in this country by commercial manufacturers; and what is the actual percentage of fresh fruit in each case.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Dr. Edith Summerskill)The fruit content of each variety of jam is set out in Part II of the Schedule to the Food Standards (Preserves) Order of which I am sending each hon Member a copy The fruit may be fresh fruit (fresh fruit standard jam) or pulp (full fruit standard jam). There is no "special" fruit standard for jam; it applies only to certain types of marmalade. The only other permissible ingredients are pectin and, in some cases, colouring or preserving matter.
§ Mr. KeelingIs the hon. Lady aware that much British jam is pretty poor stuff and fully bears out her statement about pulp? Before the next jam-making season would she consider offering higher rates to school children for picking blackberries and other wild fruit, the vast bulk of which at present is wasted?
§ Dr. SummerskillI would remind the hon. Gentleman that pulp is fruit. As regards the other matter, we will certainly consider it.
§ Dr. SummerskillThere is no turnip in any of our jam.
Vice-Admiral TaylorIs the hon. Lady aware that the Government jam made this year has not been by any means confined to fresh fruit?