MR. J. W. LOWTHER (Cumberland, Penrith)asked the Secretary of State 183 for the Home Department, Whether his attention has been called to the report of a prosecution at Westminster Police Court on the 17th instant, under "The Margarine Act, 1887," for selling margarine without labelling it in accordance with the Act; whether Mr. Partridge adjourned the case sine die on the ground that no sample of the article was produced in Court, although Mr. Partridge is reported to have admitted that the Margarine Act did not require such production; and, whether, notwithstanding this admission, Mr. Partridge stated that he should in future require such production?
§ THE SECRETARY OF STATE (Mr. MATTHEWS) (Birmingham, E.)I have obtained a Report from the magistrate, who does not say that he made the admission suggested. On the contrary, he is of opinion that the provisions of the Food and Drug Act being applied to proceedings under the Margarine Act the production of samples is necessary. He adjourned the case, leaving it to the prosecution to supplement the evidence in the manner which he considered equitable, and in accordance with the intention of the Act.