HL Deb 08 March 1966 vol 273 c948

2.36 p.m.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether any, and if so what, action was taken before July 31, 1965 to forestall the subsequent widespread flouting of the will of Parliament, as expressed in 1963 legislation requiring pint milk bottles to carry capacity markings.]

BARONESS PHILLIPS

My Lords, widespread contraventions of this requirement were not to be expected, nor have the Board of Trade any reason to think that they have occurred. No special action was taken to forestall them. I have some milk bottles with me if the noble Lord would like to see them.

LORD AIREDALE

My Lords, I am much obliged to the noble Baroness for that Answer. Would she deny my assertion last week that the offences are running at the rate of about one million a day? And is the true answer to this question that Homer nodded?

VISCOUNT DILHORNE

My Lords, I wonder whether the noble Lady could give me some information. Could she confirm that the marking of milk bottles is the chief item in the Liberal Manifesto?

BARONESS PHILLIPS

Your Lordships will appreciate that I have not yet had time to study all the Manifestos.