HC Deb 06 June 1884 vol 288 cc1679-80
MR. DUCKHAM

asked Mr. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Whether he can now inform, the House the result of his inquiry (as promised on the 31st of March and again on the 1st of May) into the correctness of the following Report of the Committee of the New York Senate respecting the Adulteration of Dairy Products, as published in The Standard of the 24th of March— Of thirty samples of butter two-thirds were only remotely traceable to milk. The refuse fat of pigs and bullocks was the chief and most savoury ingredient, but often spoiled greases were used which had been deoderised by nitric acid and sulphuric acid, of a strength sufficient to rot a workman's cowhide boots, to cause the finger-nails to fall off, and induce various lingering diseases. The material was also found to contain ingredients fatal to infants. The doctors upon oath declared that the consumption of this compound had a distinct bearing upon the death rate. The Committee advises the total prohibition of the manufacture of oleomargarine; whether it is correct that the Senate of New York has recently passed a Bill prohibiting the manufacture, sale, or importation of oleomargarine; and, whether, seeing that an enormous quantity of oleomargarine and cheese is brought into this Country from the United States, whether he will cause an inquiry to be instituted into the correctness of those reports, in order that the public in this Country may be assured that such deleterious food may not be sold to them?

MR. DODSON

I have made inquiries into this subject, and their result indicates that various compounds, some of them containing very obnoxious ingredients, have been manufactured and sold as butter in the State of New York. The Legislature of the State considered the matter so serious that it has quite recently passed an Act prohibiting the manufacture or sale of adulterated butter or cheese. If the hon. Member will move for the Correspondence I shall be happy to give it.

MR. DUCKHAM

Then, Sir, I beg to move for the Correspondence.

SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

I wish to ask whether any action was taken by the Board of Trade? When I called attention to this subject three years ago, the President of the Board of Trade stated that directions would be given to the Inspectors under the Food Adulteration Act to inquire into the importation of adulterated butter and butter compounds. I wish to know whether any steps were taken in pursuance of that assurance, and what results were obtained?

MR. DODSON

That Question ought to be addressed to the President of the Board of Trade.

MR. BIGGAR

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that large quantities of butter are daily imported from France and Holland of the same description as that referred to in the hon. Member's Question; and is the right hon. Gentleman prepared to take steps to prohibit this adulterated stuff entering this country?

MR. DODSON

I am not aware that butter of the quality referred to by the hon. Member is imported from France and Holland. I have no power in regard to the sale of butter in this country.