HC Deb 02 March 1933 vol 275 cc541-2
80. Captain DOWER

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the advisability of taking steps to ensure that chilled or cold-stored eggs, imported from Australia and South Africa, are sold as Empire chilled eggs and not Empire fresh eggs?

Major ELLIOT

Eggs imported from Australia and South Africa are marked with the name of the country of origin, which in itself indicates that they have been chilled or otherwise preserved.

Captain DOWER

Will the Minister consider the fact that eggs imported from Australia are chilled for eight weeks, and are sold as fresh or new-laid, in spite of their having the name of the country of origin on them, while British eggs which, have been chilled for one week must be marked as chilled; and does he not think that that is rather a deceptive marking?

Major ELLIOT

I cannot conceive that anyone could eat an egg eight weeks old without being aware of it.