§ 52. Mr. S. ROBINSONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in a recent prosecution by the county council of Essex, under Section 6 (1) (a) of the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1906, three witnesses stated on oath that they formed part of a deputation from the Retail Corn Dealers' Association which attended on the Ministry in 1921, and that on that occasion a definite understanding was come to with the Ministry that the provisions of the said Section would not be enforced if there was a label in or on the bag containing the feeding stuff giving the required percentages of oil and albuminoids contained in the Acts, etc.; whether any such understanding as above mentioned was come to on the occasion referred to; and whether the understanding is still effectual?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. R. Smith)My right hon. Friend has not seen a detailed report of the legal proceedings in question. There is, however, clearly some misunderstanding as to the attitude attributed to the Ministry when the deputation in question was received in 1921. The records show that on that occasion certain suggestions were made which it was considered might assist retailers of small quantities of poultry food. It was also pointed out that new legislation would be required to meet the views of the deputation, but no ruling of the nature in question was given.