§ 25. Mr. Bullardasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in order to assist purchasers in retail shops, he will amend the present optional arrangements with regard to the marking of imported bacon so as to make it compulsory in all cases for the name of the country of origin to be indicated.
§ The Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. John Hare)The present arrangements require that all imported goods must be marked either "Empire" or "Foreign" or, alternatively, with the name of the country of origin. If my hon. Friend's suggestion were adopted, it would mean that all imported goods would have to be marked with the country of origin as the alteration could not be justified for bacon alone. This would cause an excessive amount of disturbance to wholesalers and retailers. It would also require legislation.
§ Mr. BullardDoes not my right hon. Friend realise that there is something very wrong with a system of marking which makes it necessary for bacon to be marked when it is in the whole side stored away in a cupboard where nobody can see it and it does not have to be marked when cut up into rashers and put in the shop window? What makes the position even worse is that these rashers can bear the name of a reputable English firm, giving the purchaser the idea that this foreign bacon is made from English pigs. In justification of the home producers' position, this marking should be shown in the shop window.
§ Mr. HareMy hon. Friend is, I think, aware that, at the request of the National Farmers' Union, this matter of the portion which is cut away from the main carcase and is sold as rashers has been referred to the Standing Committee set up under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926. I understand that the Committee is likely to consider the reference in about two months' time.