§ 74. Mr. FREEMANasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will introduce legislation restoring the powers of local authorities to take criminal proceedings in respect of adulterated samples on the premises of the purchaser under the Fertilisers and Feeding Stuffs Act, 1926, in view of the fact that the present civil remedies have proved ineffective and afford inadequate protection to farmers?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe Departmental Committee on whose recommendations 2383 the Act was based was unanimous in recommending that there should be no criminal proceedings in respect of samples taken on the premises of the purchaser. Any case of fraudulent mismarking can be dealt with effectively under the Act, and the answer to the question is therefore in the negative.
§ Mr. L. SMITHDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the very small number of cases coming under his notice proves the efficiency of this Act?