§ MR. HUNT (Shropshire, Ludlow)I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the fact that foreign meat is fraudulently sold as home-grown and that the price of all beef bought and sold in this country is ruled and fixed by the American Beef Trust, he could see his way to introduce legislation to prevent this injury to our farmers and working people.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYThe provisions of the Merchandise Marks Acts, 1887 and 1891, and the Merchandise Marks (Prosecution) Act, 1894, already empower the Board to deal with cases in which false trade descriptions of meat are given. It is not proposed to initiate further legislation in the direction suggested.
§ MR. HUNTDoes the hon. Gentleman deny that it is a fact that foreign beef is continually sold as British?
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYMy Answer did not deny that. It is a matter for the Board of Trade to deal with.
§ MR. HUNTDoes the hon. Gentleman intend to allow the American Beef Trust to go on robbing the people of this country?
§ *MR. SPEAKERThat is not contained in the Question of the hon. Member.
§ MR. G. D. FABER (York)inquired whether the Board of Trade took cognisance of this imposition upon the public.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYreplied that undoubtedly the Board of Trade and the Board of Agriculture carried out the duties entrusted to them by statute.
§ MR. G. D. FABERHave they ever prosecuted?
§ *MR. SPEAKERNotice should be given of that Question.