§ 28. Miss Hornsby-Smithasked the Minister of Food what is the weight of national butter contained in a half-pound packet wrapped in greaseproof paper and marked, 8 ounces gross.
§ Mr. F. WilleyThe weight of national butter contained in a ½ lb. pre-packed packet marked 8 ounces gross should not be less than 7 oz. 14¾ drachms. The Sale of Food (Weights and Measures) Act, 1926, provides that when butter is weighed for sale in a wrapper or container, the weight purported to be sold may include the weight of the wrapper or container if the weight of the wrapper or container does not exceed 2½drachms per lb. of the butter.
§ Miss Hornsby-Smithwould the Minister consider a regulation whereby packed rations should be net weight and not gross weight, as in view of the very small quantity of butter it makes a difference whether the paper is included in the weight of small packets? As the permitted legal allowance is, as I think he said. 2½ drachms per lb., does he not agree that in small packets of a quarter-pound or half-pound, which are more commonly collected by the consumer, it 943 means that in many cases there is a loss of proportionately more in the weight of the paper than is legally allowed in the pound packet?
§ Mr. Willeyas I have said, we are governed by the Act of 1926, but we are always willing to look into these matters and we will do so.
§ 29. Miss Hornsby-Smithasked the Minister of Food if a packet of national butter, marked 8 ounces gross, ranks under his regulations as an 8 ounce ration of butter.
§ Mr. F. Willeyyes, Sir, provided the package weighs 8 ounces gross and the wrapper or container weighs not more than 1¼drachms.
§ Miss Hornsby-Smithhas the Minister power to take action if I produce evidence of a case in which a half-pound wrapper weighed far more than 1¼drachms net?
§ Mr. WilleyThe proper authority could take action.