§ 1. Mr. Doddsasked the Minister of Food, in view of public concern, what progress has been made in prohibiting the use of agene in the treatment of flour for human consumption to conform with action taken in Canada, the United States of America, France, Belgium, Spain, Turkey, Greece and Switzerland, to protect the health of their people.
§ The Minister of Food (Major Lloyd George)I would refer the hon. Member to the reply I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Spelthorne (Mr. Beresford Craddock) on 23rd February. It would be premature to take any action until the investigations referred to are completed.
§ Mr. DoddsIs it not disgraceful that these investigations should have taken such a long time? Is the Minister not aware that there is great concern that tampering with the bread of the people is believed to be so bad that it is a menace to public health? Surely something more should be done. Does the Minister say that these other countries are wrong in banning it years ago?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThey did not ban it years ago. I am sure that the hon. Gentleman will appreciate that investigations into matters of this character are of tremendous importance, and it is 370 idle to pretend that they can be done quickly. With regard to the other countries, it is true that it is prohibited in 10 countries but it is allowed in nine others, and two permit another substance on which we are taking action.
§ Dr. StrossCould the Minister tell us how long the investigations have now been under way? Is it 2½ or 3½ years?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI do not think that the time has been as long as that, but I would remind the hon. Member of something else which occurred. We are examining as well as agene the gaseous substance which is used in America, because we are not yet satisfied about either of them.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI cannot promise the hon. Member a date, but I promise that I shall do so as soon as I can.