§ 18. Mrs. Sally Oppenheimasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what plans he has to implement the Report of the Food Standards Committee on the Date Marking of Food, in the light of the comments he has received from interested parties on the report; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mrs. FennerMy right hon. Friend welcomes the interest shown by the many and detailed comments which have been received. These all deserve careful study and he proposes to do this before announcing any proposals for implementing the report.
§ Mrs. OppenheimBut is my hon. Friend aware that each inadvertent purchase of stale food constitutes for the housewife a waste of time, a waste of money, and health hazards for her children?
§ Mrs. FennerI note the point that my hon. Friend makes and, indeed, her particular interest in all these matters. To date, we have received about 125 comments and observations of one sort or another. I am sure that she would wish us to give all those observations—many of them from consumer organisations—the closest consideration.