§ 10. Dr. Gilbertasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what reply he has sent to the letter from the Confederation of Fried Fish Caterers' Associations complaining at the EEC proposal to ban the use of non-brewed acetic acid vinegar in foodstuffs.
§ Mrs. FennerThe National Federation of Fish Friers has been informed that there is as yet no EEC proposal which would ban the use of acetic acid in food. We would view any future proposal concerning products of this kind in the light of existing United Kingdom law and practice. These place no inhibitions on fish friers in this country providing non-brewed condiment for use by 396 their customers, but to describe it as vinegar would be contrary to existing United Kingdom law.
§ Dr. GilbertI am grateful to the hon. Lady for that answer. When will the Government tell the bureaucrats in Brussels that the British people are fed up with the mucking about with what goes into our food? It appears that they are not content with mucking about with our beer, the milk which goes into our tea and our sausages. They are now trying it with fish and chips. When will the Government tell the bureaucrats that the British people are getting fed up?
§ Mrs. FennerThat is absolute rubbish. I explained to the hon. Gentleman there is no EEC proposal. Therefore, I can hardly tell the bureaucrats what he suggests.