HC Deb 10 May 1909 vol 4 cc1445-6
Mr. STANIER

asked the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if his attention has been called to the sale of Dutch cheese as Cheshire cheese, and convictions in police courts of this fraud; and, if so, what action the Board was taking; and if the Board would bring in a Bill to mark foreign cheeses in order to prevent this fraud?

Sir E. STRACHEY

The reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The administration of the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts, under which the convictions to which the hon. Member refers were obtained, rests primarily with the local authorities, but we are keeping the matter under observation. The Board cannot undertake to introduce legislation on the subject.

Mr. KILBRIDE

Has the English Board of Agriculture undertaken any prosecutions for safeguarding the sale of agricultural produce during the last 12 months?

Sir E. STRACHEY

I must ask for notice of that question.