§ 9. Dr. Barnett Strossasked the Minister of Food how soon will all flour which is treated by some form of improver be so treated that the agene process can be forbidden; and whether he will estimate the cost in dollars for machinery and chlorine dioxide, which must be imported from the United States of America.
§ Mr. WebbIt will take about two years to complete this change. The dollar cost will probably be about 337,000 United States dollars.
§ Dr. StrossIs my right hon. Friend aware that there is a considerable body of medical opinion which believes that peptic ulceration is aggravated by the agene process and that this has been responsible for the increase of duodenal and gastric ulcers within recent years? Will he give us an assurance that as soon as possible we shall be free from this somewhat poisonous improver?