§ Commander BELLAIRSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that confidence in manufactured jams has been shaken in regard to the fruit content and owing to foreign fruit-pulp used; whether he will induce the manufacturers to make public their standard in regard to pure jam and jam; and whether it is his intention to establish a national mark for jam?
§ Dr. ADDISONI have no power to require jam manufacturers to declare the contents of their product, but they have recently published agreed voluntary standards for "first quality" and "second quality" jams respectively. If there is any lack of confidence, a national mark scheme for jam produced from home-grown fruit would no doubt be helpful. So far, however, the manufacturers have been unwilling to assist in preparing such a scheme and I am advised that an amendment of the Agricultural Produce (Grading and Marking) Act, 1928, would be necessary to enable me to proceed further. Proposals with this end in view are under consideration.