HC Deb 22 March 1950 vol 472 cc119-20W
Mr. Hastings

asked the Minister of Food whether the Food Standards Committee have yet completed their inquiry into the measures necessary to give effect to the Medical Research Council's recommendation that all domestic salt supplies in Great Britain should be iodized as a measure of protection against goitre.

Mr. Webb

The Medical Research Council after extensive examination have recommended that all table and cooking salt should be iodized for the prevention of goitre and thyroid enlargement. This recommendation has been endorsed by the Ministry of Health Standing Committee on Medical and Nutritional Problems, and it has the full approval of my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Health.

The Food Standards Committee were asked to advise on what measures would be necessary to give effect to the medical recommendation. They have recently completed their inquiries and have recommended a standard of composition for iodized salt which can be enforced by chemical analysis. The Committee received evidence from representatives of the salt industry who have concurred in the recommendation as a permanent measure and from other expert witnesses, and have advised that within one year from the date of an Order all pre-packed free-running salt should be treated with small traces of iodide and that within two years all other pre-packed salt should be similarly treated. I understand that this would mean that the production of cut-lump salt would have to be discontinued. I am advised that if salt production as between pre-packed free-running salt and other salt used in the home remains substantially in the same proportion as in 1948 slightly more than half the population of Great Britain would benefit within the first year from the Medical Research Council's recommendation and that the entire population would benefit by the end of two years.

A copy of the Food Standards Committee's report has been placed in the Library and I am arranging for the Report to be issued for publication tomorrow. Steps will not be taken to give effect to the Committee's recommendations until all concerned (the trade and technical interests, the Medical Profession and, indeed, the public) have had full opportunity to make any representations they wish. The Food Standards Committee will be open to receive representations until 30th June, 1950.