§ 7. Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-Davenportasked the Minister of Food whether, in view of the impracticability of enforcing detailed hygienic arrangements in catering establishments by means of regulations, he will consider the desirability of substituting for recent draft regulations a simple code on the lines of the Highway Code which will not have the force of law but the frequent infringement of which can be taken into account in taking penal action against any particular person or establishment.
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeThis plan has already been adopted in large measure. Many of the proposals originally put forward in the form of draft statutory rules have now been incorporated in a draft advisory code. This was circulated to the interests concerned on 31st May.
§ Lieut.-Colonel Bromley-DavenportIs my right hon. and gallant Friend aware that the new curtailed draft regulations still contain unnecessary details, such as minimising the influx of birds through walls, floors and ceilings of kitchens? Can my right hon. and gallant Friend explain to the House how the little, eensy-teensy birds can get into kitchens in this way?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI do not think I can go into that question, but these proposals were circulated to the trade for its comments, and I have no doubt that it has been able to comment quite freely.
§ Lieut.-Colonel LiptonCan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman give an assurance that he is not going to capitulate to the opposition which has manifested itself in certain sections of the 1929 catering trade against the proposed Act and any of the proposed regulations to be made thereunder?
§ Major Lloyd GeorgeI would not go so far as to say that. After all, these regulations were put forward in order to get the comments of the people who have to do the work. I think this was the proper thing to do, and it has been done before. I am, however, very anxious to see that conditions are improved as soon as possible.