§ 25. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Agriculture what steps have been taken by his Department to prevent cheap Russian butter being mixed with British butter and sold to the public as British farmhouse butter; and whether he is satisfied as to the adequacy of the arrangements which have been made both in the interest of the British farmer and also of the general public?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Dr. Addison)The sale of a blend of butter containing either Russian or any other foreign butter as "British farmhouse butter" would constitute an offence against the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887, in respect of which proceedings could be taken either by my Department or by any other interested party. I have no reason to suppose that such misrepresentation is taking place, but the general question of requiring all imported butter and blends containing imported butter to be marked with an indication of origin will be carefully considered in the light of the report of the Merchandise Marks Standing Committee on this subject which was published last week.
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the right hon. Gentleman urge the matter forward as rapidly as possible in view of the anxiety of the British public in this regard?
§ Dr. ADDISONI started to do this 24 hours after the report appeared.
Brigadier-General BROWNDoes that mean that it is the right hon. Gentleman's policy to carry out the recommendations of the committee and to apply the national mark to butter.
§ Dr. ADDISONThat was not its recommendation. I have its recommendations under consideration.