§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEY (Somersetshire S.)To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether he is aware that only eleven samples of imported 256 fresh and sterilised milk were examined at the Government laboratories during the year 1902, that two of such samples of sterilised milk were found to be deficient in fat, and legal proceedings instituted in both cases; and that one of these cases was withdrawn on the importer undertaking to export the whole of the consignment reported against, and to cease importing such milk; and whether he will state what the proportion of the samples examined was to the total consignments of fresh and sterilised milk, and also the particulars of the analytical results of the two samples reported against, and the amounts of preservatives present.
(Answered by Mr. Ritchie.) Instructions were issued in ordinary course to officers of Customs to secure samples of fresh and sterilised milk imported during 1902, and in accordance therewith eleven samples were obtained and examined. In the first of the two cases in which sterilised milk was found deficient in fat satisfactory evidence was produced showing that the importer had no illegal intent, and that he would have stopped the importation if there had been time to do so; and the Board of Customs, on being assured that a similar illegality would not be repeated, waived proceedings upon payment of a fine of 40s. In the second case proceedings were taken and a conviction obtained. The total imports of fresh milk amounted to 13,559 cwts. during 1902, and of milk preserved (which includes, amongst other descriptions, sterilised milk) to 3,058 cwts. Arrangements were made with the concurrence of the Principal of the Government Laboratory at the beginning of the present year whereby a considerable number of samples of this class of article should be obtained in future.