§ 33. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Food whether he is satisfied that the use of polyoxyethylene compounds as anti-staling agents is not a possible source of ill-health: and what action he is taking in this matter.
Dr. HillAs my right hon. and gallant Friend informed the hon. Member for Clapham (Mr. Gibson) last May, we understand that these compounds are used very rarely, if at all, in this country. No action is required at present.
§ Dr. StrossWould the Parliamentary Secretary confer on this matter with his right hon. Friend the Minister of Health, who discusses this matter in his Report which has just been issued where, in Part 2, page 111, it is clearly stated that these compounds are in use both for bread-making and cake-making? If I put the Question down again, can we have a more accurate answer?
Dr. HillI will follow the hon. Member's suggestion about consultation but, as I am at present informed, I understand that there is no evidence that these substances are being used.
Mr. I. O. ThomasWould the Parliamentary Secretary be good enough to define for the benefit of the House the meaning of "polyoxyethylene compounds"?
Dr. HillPerhaps the hon. Member will ask his hon. Friend the Member for Stoke-on-Trent, Central (Dr. Stross).
Mr. ThomasI put the question to the Minister on the assumption that he understood the Question on the Order Paper before he gave the reply.
Dr. HillIt does not follow from the fact that I understand this chemical substance that the hon. Member would understand my description of it.
§ 34. Dr. Strossasked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been drawn to the use in bread-making of substances not found in human or animal bodies, such as penta-erythritol derivatives of fatty acids, or cellulose derivatives such as carboxymethyl cellulose; and what steps he is taking to discourage the use of such substances.
Dr. HillThe compounds named are not permitted in national bread, and I am advised that they are not used in bread-making in this country. The second part of the Question, therefore, does not arise.
§ Dr. StrossIn view of the fact that that again does not tally with the advice given by the right hon. Gentleman the Minister of Health, if I put this Question down again at some future time, will the Parliamentary Secretary explain to me why he has given this advice today? Secondly, will he bear in mind that the Ministry of Food should not accept that the British public will always remain as contented as guinea pigs with these strange and bizarre substances?
Dr. HillI will, of course, seek to answer any Questions that the hon. Member puts down. But I would say to him that the principle embodied in his Question of not using any food substances which are not found in human or animal bodies is a pretty unsafe guide because it would prevent the use of flour in the making of bread.