§ 6. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many prosecutions he has initiated in the last year for false labelling or advertisement of foods and drugs under Section 6 of the Food and Drugs Act, 1955.
Mr. AmoryAs the Act did not come into operation until 1st January, 1956, the hon. Lady presumably has in mind the similar provisions in the Defence (Sale of Food) Regulations, 1943. There were no cases under these provisions in England and Wales in which my Department instituted proceedings, but thirty-five in which local food and drugs authorities did so in 1955.
§ 7. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he has considered the advertisements of beefy cubes, digestive biscuits and slimming bread, copies of which have been sent to him; and, as the articles in question are misdescribed, if he will take action under the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, Section 6, in these cases.
Mr. AmoryThe documents sent to me by the hon. Lady only reached me two days ago. I have the matter under consideration now and will communicate my conclusions to her as soon as possible.
§ Mrs. MannMay I inform the Minister that three at least of the misleading advertisements have been withdrawn this week and replaced with advertisements more in keeping with the nature of the goods?
Mr. AmoryI am hoping to get another letter from the hon. Lady, because the letter she sent me referred to certain things, but there were no documents with it referring either to digestive biscuits or slimming bread.
§ Sir A. Gomme-DuncanIf, in the course of his investigations, my right hon. Friend finds a genuine slimming bread, will he circulate the name of it in the OFFICIAL REPORT?
§ Mrs. MannIs the Minister aware that the missing document was not included because it merely referred to a poster?
§ 8. Mrs. Mannasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he is aware that pies labelled meat pies contain 11 per cent. meat, and that sausages labelled beef or pork sausages contain less than 50 per cent. beef or pork; and if he will take action under the Food and Drugs Act, 1955, Section 6, in such cases.
Mr. AmoryI am aware that there is some criticism of the meat content and labelling of these foods. This is one of the reasons why I have asked the Food Standards Committee to report on sausages; and I now propose to ask it to inquire into meat pies. I will consider further action when I have its recommendations.