§ MR. REESI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that proceedings were instituted last month against a vendor of a mixture as coffee, of which 70 per cent. was chicory, and that the magistrates dismissed the case, though 1s. per per pound was paid; and, if the case be as stated, whether he will take action to protect the producers and consumers of coffee.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI have seen a report of the case to which I presume my hon. friend refers. The facts would appear to be as stated, but I would point out that the magistrates seem to have been satisfied that the vendor had given notice by a label written on the bag that the article sold was coffee and chicory, and also that there was no intention on the part of the vendor to defraud. On the general question of the sale of mixtures of coffee and chicory I do not think I can add anything to the Answers I gave to the Questions which my hon. friend put to me on the 20th June last. †