§ 48. Mr. Stokesasked the Minister of Food whether his attention has been called to the widespread sale of red wine called "British Wine Port Type" manufactured by a chemical process and bottled by Santiago, Neuhofer, of 11, Brushfield Street, E.1; whether he is aware that the sale price is 15s. 6d. a bottle; that the retailers pass it off as Algerian wine; and whether he will state the name of the manufacturers and the date on which his Department passed it as fit for human consumption.
§ Mr. MabaneYes, Sir. I am aware that limited quantities of this product have been sold and inquiries are being made into the source of supply. As regards the last part of the Question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the reply given on 7th March to the hon. Member for Sedgefield (Mr. Leslie).
§ Mr. StokesWhy is it impossible for the Minister to tell us the names of the manufacturers of this poisonous beverage?
§ Mr. MabaneBecause we do not know.
§ Mr. Vernon BartlettWill the right hon. Gentleman explain why this spurious beverage is still on sale?
§ Mr. MabaneWe are making inquiries to find out the source of supply. We have discovered the source of the first supply and that has been stopped.
§ Mr. StokesIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there was a prosecution in Bath police court, and that all the reports concerning it have been suppressed? Surely, when the stuff is sold the Ministry must know who made it and it must be done with the approval of the inspectors of the Ministry?
§ Mr. MabaneI do not know what the hon Member means when he says that the reports have been suppressed, but action in the form of a prosecution is a matter for the local authorities, who operate the Food and Drugs Act.
§ Mr. ShinwellCould we have a sample in the Library of the House?