§ MR. SPEAR (Devonshire, Tavistock)I beg to ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, what recent cases of adulteration or misrepresentation in the sale of farm seeds have been brought to his notice; and whether he has considered the advisability of some amendment in, or addition to, the law as it now stands for the better protection of agriculturists and honest seed merchants.
§ MR. AILWYN FELLOWES (Huntingshire, Ramsey)A case in which certain foreign seed was sold as English clover was recently brought under 181 the notice of the Board. Proceedings were instituted under the Merchandise Marks Acts, and the vendor was fined £10 with 6s. Court fees and £21 towards the cost of the prosecution. This result goes to confirm the conclusion arrived at by the Departmental Committee of 1900, who expressed the opinion that there is no practical difficulty under the existing law in the way of obtaining thoroughly good and reliable seeds by those who know how to set about it; but we shall be very happy to give full consideration to any representations or suggestions which may be made to us on the subject.