§ MR. J. C. FLYNN (Cork, N.)I beg to ask the Secretary to the Treasury, whether the Customs officers still continue to take samples of Foreign butter at the ports of entry; if so, whether he can state the number taken for the months of January, February and March respectively; what proportion of the samples have been found to be adulterated; and, what steps are being taken by the Customs authorities, or other public Department acting in conjunction with them, to fine or otherwise punish consignees found in possession of adulterated butter?
§ *MR. HANBURYThe Customs officers are still continuing to take samples of foreign butter at some of the 1720 ports of entry. The number of samples taken for the months of January, February, and March respectively, and the number found on analysis in the Government Laboratory to be questionable, are as follows:—
So far as the Customs are concerned, no steps are being taken to fine, or otherwise punish, consignees, found in possession of adulterated butter, nor have they any legal powers in this particular direction. The results of analyses of samples of foreign butter are, in every case, communicated to the Board of Agriculture.
Month. Samples taken, Number found Adulterated. January … 118 … 10 February … 179 … 16 March … 77 … 0