HC Deb 19 May 1958 vol 588 cc882-4
31. Mr. Remnant

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will list the names and prices of the traps approved by his Department as suitable alternatives to gin traps.

Mr. Godber

With permission, I will circulate the list in the OFFICIAL REPORT.

Mr. Remnant

Does not the hon. Gentleman agree that the prices are at least twice those of gin traps, and how does he think the law will be enforced with that variation in price?

Mr. Godber

I accept that the price of some of these is higher than the price of gin traps, but I believe that they are efficient and I hope that those concerned will try them out. I am sure that they will be satisfied with the results.

Mr. Hastings

Would the hon. Gentleman find it inconvenient to put samples of these traps in the Upper Waiting Hall so that hon. Members may see that it is possible to set these traps without seriously hurting themselves?

Mr. Godber

I should be happy to look into that proposal; but I do not wish to cause harm to any hon. Member.

Following is the list of approved traps:

farmers that products described as ice cream should contain a certain minimum proportion of dairy produce; whether he has yet received the comments of interested parties on his proposed amending regulations; and how soon he expects to make them.

Mr. Godber

Under the existing regulations, ice cream must already contain a minimum of 7½ per cent. of milk solids other than fat. The draft of the proposed new regulations, which will have the effect of reserving the description "dairy ice cream" for a product made wholly from dairy produce, will be circulated very shortly. My right hon. Friend must, however, give time for them to be thoroughly considered by all interested parties, and I cannot at this stage say when the regulations will be made.

Mr. Peyton

Does not my hon. Friend think that 7½ per cent. is a wretched figure? Does he really agree that to continue to misuse the word "cream" years after wartime stringencies have gone is a fraud on the dairy farmer and, so far as the public is concerned, a racket? Will he look into this matter again?

Mr. Godber

My right hon. Friend has given careful thought to this matter, but this product has been known by this name now for 17 years and it would be unrealistic at this time to change it. Regarding the use of the word "cream", I would remind my hon. Friend that that word is used in connection with many other products which no cow has ever seen.

Mr. T. Williams

In view of the feeling in all parts of the House, particularly on the benches behind the hon. Gentleman, that there is general disagreement with this abuse of the English language in calling a commodity "ice cream" which practically contains no cream at all, will the hon. Gentleman convey a message to his right hon. Friend?

Mr. Godber

I will naturally convey what has been said in the House to my right hon. Friend, but I think it is important to get this matter in its right perspective. Even before the war there was no requirement to use cream in ice cream, and so far as I know it was not then used.

Mr. Shinwell

May we have an assurance from the hon. Gentleman that the Conservative Party at the next General Election will include in its programme good, sound and wholesome ice cream?

Mr. Godber

The Conservative Party will certainly produce good, sound and wholesome legislation.