§ 74. Lieut.-Colonel RUGGLES-BRISEasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider introducing a Bill, amending the Merchandise Marks Act, to insist upon a description of an imported article such as fruit pulp, which after reaching this country undergoes a material change on conversion into jam, being given on all containers of jam, together with the country of origin and the percentages of all the ingredients?
§ Dr. ADDISONAfter careful consideration, I have come to the conclusion that the difficulties of enforcing a Marking Order under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, would be so great that no advantage would be gained by amending the Act for the purpose. The most promising solution appears to be to bring jam made from home-grown fruit within the scope of the National Mark scheme, and I am considering the possibility of introducing the legislation which I am advised is necessary to enable this to be done.
§ Lieut.-Colonel RUGGLES-BRISECan the right hon. Gentleman give any idea as to when that legislation is likely to be introduced?
§ Dr. ADDISONWe would not, of course, legislate on a matter of this sort 1382 unless there was agreement, and I am doing my best to see what measure of agreement can be obtained.