HC Deb 07 March 1949 vol 462 c800
33. Mr. Dumpleton

asked the Minister of Food what conditions as to the fat content of ice cream are made when allocations of sugar are made to the manufacturers.

Dr. Summerskill

No such conditions are attached to normal allocations of sugar; but an extra allowance of 15 per cent. is granted to manufacturers who undertake to maintain a minimum fat content of 2½ per cent.

Mr. Somerville Hastings

Does the right hon. Lady realise what dreadful stuff is now being sold as ice cream and how small is the fat content in a great deal of it?

Dr. Summerskill

Yes, Sir. My hon. Friend knows that I would like to prescribe a standard, but he must realise that the shortage of milk and milk powder makes it impossible for us to prescribe a satisfactory product, and that is why we have hesitated to do it.

Mr. Hastings

Would it not be possible to let the public know when a satisfactory product is being sold and when one is not?

Dr. Summerskill

I think that my hon. Friend will agree with me that this is a small advance towards solving the problem.