§ 3. Dr. Barnett Strossasked the Minister of Food what alternatives to agene are being considered as flour improvers; which organisations are conducting the research; and when he hopes a suitable improver will be agreed to.
§ The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Mr. Frederick Willey)The choice of an alternative improver to agene is still being examined jointly by my Department, the Ministry of Health and the Medical Research Council. Both Government and industrial laboratories in this country and the U.S.A. are continuing their investigations and the results are being taken into account in the present examination. Until this examination has been completed I regret that I am not in a position to add to previous replies on the subject.
§ Dr. StrossWhile accepting completely the answer given by my hon. Friend, may I ask if he will bear in mind, and urge upon his right hon. Friend, the fact that a long time has already elapsed since the principle was agreed to by them that the present use of nitrogen trichloride is undesirable? Will he do all that he can to expedite the change-over?
§ Mr. WilleyI am aware of my hon. Friend's anxiety, and I assure him that I will do all I can to expedite the inquiry.
Dr. HillWill the hon. Gentleman take into account the fact that the announcement of this impending change has aggravated public apprehension on the point, whether that apprehension is justified or not, and will he accelerate, as best he can, the announcement of the new substance?
§ Mr. WilleyYes, Sir. I appreciate the hon. Gentleman's point, but the difficulty at the moment is in deciding which is the best alternative improver to which mills should resort.