§ 53. Mr. ATTLEEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will take steps to see that all cooled, cold-stored, or gas-stored poultry eggs in shell imported into this country shall be marked with indelible ink with the appropriate description?
§ Major ELLIOTIn the absence of international agreement on this question it is not possible to enforce the marking, with appropriate descriptions, of eggs that have been kept in cold or gas storage outside this country. All such imported eggs are, however, required to bear an indication of the country of origin or the word "Empire" or "Foreign," as the case may be.
§ Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNWill the Government reconsider their attitude towards the Imported Foodstuffs (Marking) Bill, which was talked out by the Liberal apposition a fortnight ago, and which would have dealt with this matter?
§ 54. Mr. ATTLEEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the House any information as to the progress of the committee inquiring into the possibility of marking all imported dead poultry with the name of the country of origin or the word Imported in some permanent manner and in a prominent position on the carcase?
§ Major ELLIOTThe Standing Committee under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, to which the hon. and gallant Member refers, is inquiring into an application for an Order in Council requiring the marking of all imported meat, bacon, ham and meat offals as well as of poultry. I understand that considerable evidence has been taken by the Committee in respect of meat, bacon and ham, and that when this part of the inquiry has been completed poultry will be the next commodity to be considered.