HC Deb 18 February 1953 vol 511 cc1224-5
18. Air Commodore Harvey

asked the Minister of Food if he is yet in position to make his promised statement about sausages.

32. Mr. Nabarro

asked the Minister of Food to state the nature of controls and restrictions still in force governing the contents of pork, beef and other meat sausages including milk powder content and the skins; whether such controls and restrictions can be removed; and when he proposes to restore independence to manufacturers of sausages.

Major Lloyd George

Thanks to increased supplies of meat I am able to remove the controls on price and meat content on 1st March. This new freedom will enable manufacturers to provide at competitive prices the widest possible varieties of sausages. Local and personal preferences of consumers can now be satisfied again.

Mr. Nabarro

Does my right hon. and gallant Friend appreciate that none will lament the passing of that Socialist monstrosity—the Webb milk sausage?

Air Commodore Harvey

Is my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that every housewife in this country will welcome his action? Is this not further proof of the intentions of the Conservative Government week by week to fulfil their promises?

Mr. Webb

May I ask the Minister what effect this decision will have on the subsidy for manufactured meat, which will continue to be given to butchers? They are still to get the subsidy, but he is discontinuing price control. Is this not a serious decision to take if, apart from the argument whether it is a good thing to control or not to control, in fact the Government are going to continue to give the subsidy on manufactured meat?

Major Lloyd George

If the right hon. Gentleman would put down a Question on that point, I should be glad to give him a full answer.

Mr. Manuel

If the right hon. and gallant Gentleman wants to do away with this control, will he take such protective steps as are necessary to safeguard the bread supply because of the increase of bread crumbs in the sausages?