§ Sir E. Graham-Littleasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food who are the directors, and what is the function, of the company referred to in instructions issued to controlled millers, C.M.C. 189, dated 28th April, under the name Flour (Accessory Factors), Limited; why this company, established to act as agent for the fortification of white flour with aneurin, has been selected to control the addition of chalk; what knowledge and equipment are possessed by this company to fit it to test national flour fortified with calcium; what is to be the source of this addition and the cost per sack?
Major Lloyd GeorgeThe directors of Flour (Accessory Factors), Limited, all of whom were appointed by my Noble Friend, are:
- Lieut.-Colonel F. C. C. Balfour, C.I.E., C.B.E., M.C. (Chairman).
- Mr. C. A. Loombe, M.C.
- Mr. Kenneth A. E. Moore, F.C.A.
- Professor R. A. Peters, M.C., F.R.S.
- Mr. H. D. Vigor, O.B.E.
The company was established to act as the agent of my Noble Friend in giving effect to decisions of policy, not only in the fortification of flour with aneurin, but also in respect of the addition of any other substance to flour with a view to the improvement of its nutritional values. The arrangements which are being undertaken by the company in connection with the addition of calcium to flour are covered by the objects set out in the company's memorandum of association. The company has at its disposal the technical staff and equipment for carrying out any necessary tests of calcium or flour fortified with 934W calcium. As my hon. Friend will be aware from the announcement made in this House on 13th April, the source of the calcium to be incorporated in national flour is calcium carbonate (creta preparata). Seven ounces of this substance are to be added to each sack (280 lbs.) of flour, and the total cost of this addition is not to exceed one-third of a penny per sack.