§ 59. Mr. Boyd-Carpenterasked the Minister of Food why he has forbidden a firm, particulars of which have been sent to him, to manufacture cooking fat from uncontrolled residue of codliver oil surplus to other requirements.
§ Dr. SummerskillAll available supplies of suitable home produced oils and fats are needed to augment the supplies controlled by the Ministry. Negotiations with United Kingdom producers of cod-liver oil are already in hand for the purchase of any surplus oil which might he available.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIs it not a fact that, both at the time when her Department took action and now, substantial quantities of this oil were both uncontrolled and surplus, and is it not a fact that the right hon. Lady's Department has forbidden the production of a useful cooking fat from materials which are not being used for any other purpose?
§ Dr. SummerskillNo. I think that the hon. Gentleman has been misinformed. In his Question he mentions a residue of codliver oil surplus to other requirements. This is not a residue that we are talking about. This is surplus cod-liver oil. He suggests that the residue might be used in another way. I am informed that it is quite impossible to extract vitamins A and D from codliver oil and then use the residue. In fact vitamins A and D disappear when this oil is hardened, or hydrogenated.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterDoes the right hon. Lady appreciate that for two years past this firm has been doing what she suggests to be impossible—using oil from which the vitamins have been extracted to produce a palatable cooking fat? In view of the fact that her reply discloses complete ignorance of the position, will she reconsider the decision based on that ignorance?
§ Dr. SummerskillThe hon. Gentleman may have more scientific knowledge than I or my scientific advisers have, but I would not come to this Box and make this statement unless I had been advised by those men who tell me that it is quite impossible to do as the hon. Gentleman suggests.
§ Mr. AustinCan my right hon. Friend say whether this oil is more palatable than the venom which emanates from the hon. Gentleman opposite?
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterCan the right hon. Lady say why, if her advice is right, she has taken steps to forbid an act which she states to be impossible?
§ Dr. SummerskillI am not forbidding an act which I say is impossible. We are prepared to buy the hardened codliver oil. I say that the vitamins A and D disappear when this oil is hardened, or hydrogenated.
§ Mr. Boyd-CarpenterIn view of the fact that the Department's action has simply resulted in a reduction in the supply of cooking fats, I think it right that I should raise this matter on the Adjournment at the earliest possible moment.