§ 79. Sir G. Jeffreysasked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to the danger to consumers of strawberries which have recently been sprayed by one of the new insecticides based on the organic phosphorous compound parathion; and what steps he proposes to take to see that strawberries imported from the Continent during June and July are safe so far as this consideration is concerned.
§ Mr. F. WilleyYes. I understand that the results of the research done on this compound show that so long as it is used on strawberries in accordance with the instructions of the manufacturers there is no danger to consumers. Medical officers of health at sea and air ports already have general powers to examine foodstuffs on arrival and to submit for condemnation any considered to be unwholesome or unfit for human consumption. My right hon. Friend is considering, in consultation with his scientific advisers, whether it is necessary to give these officers special advice about imported strawberries.
§ 80. Sir G. Jeffreysasked the Minister of Food whether he is aware of the anxiety caused to strawberry growers in this country by his decision to permit the import of 2,500 tons of foreign strawberries in June and July; and what steps he proposes to take to ensure adequate stability of the market for British growers of strawberries.
§ Mr. F. WilleyThe production of strawberries in this country is never enough to meet the demand and I have no reason to think that these arrangements, which have been agreed by the Agricultural Departments after consulting the growers' organisations, will upset the market for British growers.