HL Deb 09 May 1893 vol 12 cc438-40
THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

in the absence of Lord RIBBLESDALE moved— That a Select Committee be appointed to consider and report whether legislation for the purpose of requiring the foreign or colonial origin of imported agricultural and horticultural produee—and especially meat, cheese, and fruit —to be marked thereon or otherwise indicated was necessary, expedient, and feasible; and if so what were the provisions which such legislation should comprise; and that the Lords following be named of the Committee: —

E. Winchilsea and Nottingham. L. Wigan. (E. Craw ford and Balcarres.)
E. Stanhope. L. Belper.
E. Onslow. L. Lawrence.
L. Carrington.(L. Chamberlain.) L. Wimborne.
L. Rothschild.
L. Vernon. L. Monkswell.
L. Ribblesdale. L. Mount Stephen.
Their Lordships would remember that a promise to move for this Committee was given when Lord Onslow recently moved upon the subject.

THE DUKE OF ST. ALBANS

asked whether it would be possible to include in the Instructions to the Committee au inquiry into the adulteration of foreign produce imported into this country? He would also like to know why butter was excluded from this Committee? As regarded adulteration, a grievance had been expressed by small shopkeepers summoned under the Food and Drugs Act for selling adulterated butter, cheese, and other produce. In their defence they referred the Magistrates to the wholesale dealers, who in turn referred to the foreign importer, against whom there was no remedy. In fact, under the Food and Drugs Act this adulterated foreign produce did not come before the Inspectors until it was exposed for public sale. He would be glad to know from the noble Earl whether this question of the adulteration of imported foreign food could be included? If not, be would place on the Paper a question on the subject.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

I had no notice of this question, but I can answer it at once. We shall not be able to include the question of food adulteration in the Instructions to the Committee. The Committee is to be appointed to deal with a particular point, and adulteration is altogether a separate question. It is an important one, no doubt; but it would be undesirable to weight the Committee with a wholly different subject from that which it was appointed to investigate. With regard to butter, that matter was dealt with very fully, as the noble Duke will remember, in connection with margarine, and the Government did not think another inquiry into the subject at the present time was necessary.

THE EARL OF ONSLOW

understood that the marking of foreign and colonial butter would not be excluded from the consideration of the Committee.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

No. I thought the question had reference rather to margarine; but, of course, butter will come in with the other produce. The question was with regard to the adulteration of butter, and I do not think an inquiry into that by this Committee is necessary.

Motion agreed to.

THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY

I beg to move that the name of Lord Melville be substituted for that of Lord Lawrence on the Committee.

Motion, as amended, agreed to.

The Committee to meet on Tuesday next, at half-past Three o'clock, and to appoint their own Chairman.