§ 76. Mr. LOUGHasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether, under the Board of Trade Returns, tea is classed as a food or a drink, and if the latter, whether he has power to deal with it; whether the Order he has issued with regard to packing by net- weight applies to teas packed for export; and, if not, whether he will issue an Amendment making it clear that teas may be packed and sold under bond in any weight or form necessary for the maintenance of export trade?
Captain BATHURSTThe Board of Trade classification does not affect the Food Controller's powers, which clearly extend to tea. Under the fourth article of the Tea (Net Weight) Order, 1917, if the exporter or packer desires to place any statement as to weight on the package it must be a true statement as to the net weight of the tea. The rest of the Order applies only to retail sales.