40. EARL of RONALDSHAYasked the President of the Local Government Board if he has considered the position of the retail trader under the Rag Flock Act when it comes into force; whether he will in Regulations to be made under the Act make it clear; whether stocks which the trader has in hand will be liable to condemnation if they do not come up to the standard required by the Act; whether the Act will only apply to goods made or purchased after 1st July; and whether the usual re-make for customers without sterilising is to be prohibited?
§ Mr. BURNSThe Act only authorises the Local Government Board to prescribe by means of Regulations a standard of cleanliness for flock manufactured from rags. I may say, however, that I am advised that the Act does not apply to upholstered furniture and bedding manufactured before the date on which the Act comes into operation, or to the re-making of mattresses and similar articles. If in the re-making any new flock is added that flock must conform to the standard of cleanliness prescribed.