§ 71. Mr. BOLANDasked the Secretary for Scotland whether his attention has been called to the representations made by the Glasgow Grocers' and Provision Merchants' Association and by the Crossmyloof and Shawlands Merchants' Association against the practice of passing off margarine as Irish butter; and whether, in view of this action on the part of reputable merchants and of the inadequacy of the small fines imposed to put an end to this system of defrauding the poor, he will state what further action he proposes to take?
Mr. McKINNON WOODMy attention has been called to the representations made by the associations, and I have caused inquiries to be made. My information is that the Sanitary Department of Glasgow is in full sympathy with the associations, and is pursuing an active policy of prosecution in every case. As I have already informed my hon. Friend, the fines imposed are in the discretion of the judge and in accordance with Statute. The infliction of higher penalties would involve legislation, and I am not satisfied that the situation calls for this step at present.