HC Deb 13 February 1871 vol 204 c167
LORD EUSTACE CECIL

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, in conformity with his statement to the House last year, he is prepared to bring in a measure this Session to remedy the state of the law as to the use of false weights and measures, and the adulteration of food, drink, and drugs; or failing that, whether he will introduce such clauses into his proposed Licensing Bill as will effectually meet the evil?

MR. BRUCE

, in reply, said, with reference to the use of false weights and measures a Bill was now in preparation by his right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Trade (Mr. C. Fortescue), who authorized him to say that he hoped in the course of the present Session to be able to introduce it. As to the adulteration of food, drink, and drugs, he apprehended that the Licensing Bill which he himself would bring in would deal very stringently, and he hoped, also, effectually, with the adulteration of drinks. But it was not his intention, in the present Session, to legislate with reference to food or drugs.