§ MR. MUNDELLAasked the Secretary of the Local Government Board, What stops are being taken to prevent the importation of adulterated articles of food into this country, and to relieve honest traders from their liability to conviction under the Act of last year for the sale of articles adulterated by the foreign producer, and on which Customs Duties have been paid?
§ MR. SCLATER-BOOTHAny proceedings for the purpose of preventing the importation of adulterated articles of food must, under the existing law, be taken by local authorities and not by the Government. With regard to the second part of the Question, many memorials have reached me complaining of the hardship inflicted on dealers, and especially on retail dealers, by the operation of the Adulteration Act of 1872. The Government have taken their complaints into consideration and have determined to ask the House to appoint a Select Committee to inquire into the subject. I propose to give Notice of a Motion to that effect on an early day.