Sausages (Meat Content)

HC Deb 22 April 1953 vol 514 cc1150-1

14. Mr. Willey

asked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to ensure that sausages contain a minimum meat content.

Dr. Hill

No, Sir.

Mr. Willey

Is not the hon. Gentleman disappointed? The "free" sausage is disappointing a large number of my constituents and others in the country. After all, the trade expected a standard to be laid down. When the Minister allocates more meat, ought he not to make sure that we get a better sausage in return?

Dr. Hill

The object of de-control is to enable local and personal preferences to be satisfied, and it is up to consumers, including the hon. Gentleman's constituents, to exercise their own choice in securing the kind of sausage they want.

Brigadier Peto

Will my hon. Friend draw the attention of the Kitchen Committee of the House of Commons to this important matter?

Mr. Hastings

Will the hon. Gentleman at least make sure that meat sausages contain some meat?

Dr. Hill

There has been a substantial increase in the allocation of meat to both larger manufacturers and individual butchers, and more meat is finding its way into sausages than under the last Administration.