§ MR. OCTAVIUS V. MORGAN (Battersea)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade why the Customs and Inland Revenue Officers have not in any single instance put into operation the duties imposed on them by Section 8 of the Margarine Act of 1887, which empowered them to take steps to detect the importation of adulterated butter at British ports; and why this duty should be cast on private individuals?
§ MR. JACKSONAs regards the officers of Customs, I have stated, in answer to previous questions, the grounds on which their action is based. With respect to the remainder of the question, I may point out that powers are given by Section 7 of the Margarine Act of 1887 to any Medical Officer of Health, Inspector of Nuisances, or police constable to take samples as well as to officers of the Inland Revenue. The Act, therefore, apparently contemplates action by Local Authorities, and the Commissioners of Inland Revenue are quite ready to give to such authorities any aid that they can afford.