§ Mr. TOUCHEasked the President of the Local Government Board if he will state how long it is since the question of flour adulteration and fraud was brought 374W to the notice of his Department; how long the foods department has been inquiring into the matter; if he can give any information as to the dimensions to which the trade in adulterated flour has grown; whether he is aware that many merchants have had to take back flour which, as the result of water-spraying, had formed into solid blocks, known in the trade as tombstones; whether he has taken the opinion of the Law Officers of the Crown as to the sufficiency of the existing law regarding adulteration and false description to deal with this form of adulteration, with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the alleged fraud to justice; and, unless he thinks it contrary to the public interest, will he state why no action has hitherto been taken?
§ Mr. BURNSMy attention was drawn to this matter in May, 1909, and inquiries have been proceeding in regard to it during the last eighteen months. A report will, I hope, be issued very shortly, and at present I have nothing further to add, beyond referring the hon. Member to the answer which I gave him on the 13th instant.