§ 45. Mr. JAMES HALL (for Mr. MACLEAN),asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that largo quantities of foreign butter are blended with British butter and are being sold as British butter, he will take steps to secure that such butter, when sold, has the packet or paper container suitably marked with the percentage of foreign butter and the foreign country?
§ Dr. ADDISONUnder the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, provision is made for the making of Orders in Council requiring the marking of imported goods of any description with an indication of origin. Before such an Order can be made, however, an inquiry has to be held by the Standing Committee set up for that purpose. There has recently been an inquiry in respect of butter, and I am now awaiting the report of the Committee.
§ Mr. C. WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman likely to do anything on the report of the committee?
§ Dr. ADDISONThat depends on the nature of the report.
§ Sir WILLIAM MITCHELL-THOMSONHow long will it be before the right hon. Gentleman gets the report?
§ Dr. ADDISONI think it will be received quite shortly, but I prefer to have notice of the question.