HC Deb 27 May 1970 vol 801 cc1923-4

DIVISION OF SAMPLES AND ANALYSIS BY AGRICULTURAL ANALYST

Lords Amendment No:. 7, in page 70, line 39, leave out from " name " to " before " in line 40, and insert: , or any address of the manufacturer in the United Kingdom, and is unable after making reasonable inquiries to ascertain that name, or, as the case may be. any such address ".

Mr. Hoy

I beg to move, That this House doth agree with the Lords in the said Amendment.

The Amendment will avoid placing an unnecessary requirement upon enforcement authorities. It effects this by removing from inspectors any obligation to send a part of the sample to overseas manufacturers—who have no need of a sample since they cannot be the subject of proceedings under the " by-passing" provisions of Clause 81.

Mr. Michael Jopling (Westmorland)

I should like to know what will be the position of an overseas manufacturer who has a sales office in, say, London. Will the sample have to be sent to that sales office or, because the manufacturer manufactures abroad, will the local inspector not have to send it to anybody at all?

Mr. Hoy

I think that I can reassure the House on this point. It is impossible to prosecute overseas companies for offences under United Kingdom legislation. If anybody commits an act in this country for which he can be held liable for prosecution, that will automatically follow.

Question put and agreed to

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