4. Mr. T. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what conclusions he has reached about the quantity of dairy produce used in the manufacture of ice cream; and whether any steps have been taken to increase the quantity.
§ Mr. GodberA report from the Food Standards Committee on ice-cream standards is being published later this week. My right hon. Friend will need to consider the views of the interests concerned before reaching any conclusions about its recommendations. I understand that the Milk Marketing Board has recently made arrangements to supply liquid milk to ice-cream manufacturers at special rates. This should encourage the use of more milk.
Mr. WilliamsAs the Minister said in May that he was in consultation with the Food Standards Committee, could the Parliamentary Secretary say why it has taken over six months before he has any sort of reply to make and, even now, he has only reached the stage of starting to think about it?
§ Mr. GodberIt is perhaps a matter which requires a considerable amount of thought on the part of the Food Standards Committee, but we have only just received the Report. When it has been published and when the right hon. Gentleman has the opportunity of seeing it, perhaps he will consider the point further.