§ DR. HUTCHINSON (Sussex, Rye)I beg to ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether the samples of low-grade hops now being imported from the Continent, sent to the Board by the Hop Growers' Association, have been analysed by their experts, with a view to ascertaining their fitness for the manufacture of beer or porter; and, if so, will he state with what results.
§ MR. AILWYN FELLOWES (Huntingdonshire, Ramsey)It is not possible for the Board to express any opinion as to whether the hops to which the hon. Member refers are fit for use in the manufacture of beer or porter, and in any case we have no power to prevent their use for the purpose. It did not appear, therefore, that any advantage would be gained by the analysis of the samples sent to us. If, however, the hon. Member considers the Where is any reason to believe that the use of the hops in question is detrimental to the public health, perhaps he would communicate with my right hon. friend the President of the Local Government Board on the subject.
§ DR. HUTCHINSONThese hops were brought under the notice of the Board five weeks ago. Was it not the business of the Department to see that they were not sold to the public if they were deleterious to health?
§ MR. AILWYN FELLOWESQuestions of the public health are within the province of the Local Government Board.