HC Deb 21 March 1972 vol 833 cc1333-4
24. Mr. Farr

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of recent representations he will expedite the report of the Food Standards Committee on date coding.

12. Mrs. Joyce Butler

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will seek to expedite the report of the Food Standards Committee on the date-marking of perishable foods.

Mr. Anthony Stodart

The committee is proceeding with all reasonable speed to analyse the mass of evidence received from some 200 interested parties and to formulate recommendations on a subject which is both complex, controversial and of great importance and where experience in other countries must be taken into account.

Mr. Farr

Does my hon. Friend agree that one of the conclusions which must be drawn is that the sooner a simple and clearly marked date on certain food is stamped by the manufacturers to protect housewives, the better will housewives get a fair deal?

Mr. Stodart

This is precisely the matter at which the committee is being asked to look.

Mrs. Sally Oppenheim

Is my hon. Friend aware that it is an insult to the housewife to put coded date stamping on food when she can buy French yoghourt in any shop in England with the date clearly marked on it not in code?

Mr. Stodart

This is a point which undoubtedly is being looked at by the committee, which is going through a great deal of evidence.