§ MR. REESI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that the progressive decline in the consumption of coffee in this country is to some extent at least due to the practically unchecked use of chicory; whether he can see his way so to amend the law as to provide that, when the quantity of chicory in a mixture exceeds in quantity the coffee contained in such mixture, it shall be labelled chicory and coffee, the former word being printed in larger type, and, where coffee predominates, the word coffee being printed in larger type, or whether he will introduce legislation requiring the use of a label specifying the proportion of coffee and inferior substances contained in every admixture for sale.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSMy right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. I am aware that allegations are made to the effect stated in the first part of the Question, but I am not able to state how far they are correct. I have received representations to show that the 617 present state of things as regards the sale of mixtures of coffee and chicory is not satisfactory, and I have noted the matter for investigation. I may point out that it was to some extent considered by the Select Committee on Food Adulterations in 1896, who, however, did not see their way to make any special recommendation on the subject.
§ MR. REESIs not this a matter of importance, not only to consumers of coffee, but also to British planters?
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI agree with my hon. friend, and I should like to see some favourable opportunity of amending the Food and Drugs Act in this and many other particulars.