§ 27. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the police proceedings at Ealing on the 17th February, where a company was convicted of selling a blend of Australian and Russian butter as Devon Vale blend; and whether, in the interests of the Home producer and consumer, he will initiate legislation whereby such frauds may be detected with more facility?
§ Major ELLIOTI have seen a report of ale proceedings referred to by my right hon. Friend. As regards the last part of his question, I would remind him that the powers already possessed by local authorities are sufficient to enable effective steps to be taken under the Merchandise Marks Acts to check such misdescriptions as to country of origin.
§ Mr. LAMBERTDoes my right hon. Friend not think that there are many frauds of this description, and will he not at any rate keep alive the Act relating to foreign imports?
§ Major ELLIOTSurely my right 'hon. Friend has overlooked the fact that in this case proceedings were not only brought but a conviction was secured. That seems to me to meet the case.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSDoes the Minister think it fair continually to interfere with private enterprise?