§ Colonel IVOR PHILIPPSasked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the risk and loss to which respectable and honest retail traders are at present exposed owing to the uncertainty as to the law regarding the sale of preserved cream; and whether he proposes to take immediate steps to relieve traders from the constant danger to which the present law exposes them?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELMy attention has been drawn to this matter. The evidence at present available as to the effect upon health of the addition of small quantities of preservatives to cream is to some extent contradictory. I have decided, therefore, to nominate a small expert committee to investigate afresh this question, which I recognise to be one of great and pressing importance to the trade concerned. Pending the completion of this investigation, which should not be prolonged, I would venture to express the opinion that it is inadvisable that local authorities should institute proceedings, except in cases where the amount of boric acid in the cream exceeds the amount declared on the label, or where the amount so declared is clearly excessive.