§ 13. Mr. LESLIEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he will consider the advisability, in the interests of fair traders and the consuming public, of introducing legislation to make it compulsory that all canned foods should bear the origin and date of canning?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI understand that canned goods, whether canned in this country or abroad, are usually sold with an indication of origin. As regards imported canned goods, it is open to the interests concerned to apply for an Order under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926. For the rest, I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given by my hon. Friend the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health to the hon. and gallant 2260 Member for St. Marylebone (Captain Cunningham-Reid) on 19th November.
§ Mr. LESLIEDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think that it would be possible for that kind of goods to bear the date of canning, because in the case of fruits they ought to be used within from six to 12 months, otherwise their food value is gone?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat aspect of the question comes within the purview of the Ministry of Health, and not of the Board of Trade.