§ Sir J. LONSDALEasked the President of the Local Government Board whether 436 having regard to the fact that it has been established by departmental investigation that the adulteration of flour by the addition of various deleterious substances is largely practised by millers, and the matter has been under his consideration for more than a year, he can now state when he expects to be in a position to announce the steps to be taken to put a stop to this practice, in the public interests?
§ Mr. BURNSI have received a number of deputations on this subject since the Reports were issued from my Foods Department last year, and the matter has been carefully considered by my expert advisers from all points of view. As a result, I have come to the conclusion that, in some respects, the matter can be adequately dealt with by the ordinary law against adulteration. I am, however, still considering whether it may not be possible to deal with some of the practices to which the hon. Baronet refers by regulations under the Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Act, 1907.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTDoes the right hon. Gentleman propose to deal with the matter under the existing law, which he has just suggested as possible?
§ Mr. BURNSIt is being dealt with by the local authorities who are responsible for the administration of the Act.
§ Sir J. LONSDALEHave there been any prosecutions?