§ Mr. D. Priceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will take steps to ensure that all foreign-produced bacon and ham is marked by its country of origin so that the grocer and the housewife are not deceived into buying foreign bacon and ham cured in Great Britain under the supposition that it is British produced.
§ Mr. John HareThe Merchandise Marks (Imported Goods) No. 3 Order, 1934, already makes it obligatory for any bacon or ham imported into the United Kingdom to bear an indication of origin. The Order also requires that on sale or exposure for sale each ham or side of imported bacon, or each separate portion of a ham or side of bacon, shall bear an indication of origin. The requirement of marking any separate portion does not however apply to any piece of bacon or ham with the rind on it which does not bear an indication of origin owing to the manner in which the piece was cut from the joint. The National Farmers' Union has recently requested that an indication of origin should be required by means of a ticket or label for all bacon cut into slices or rashers whether or not it has the rind on it.90W A reference on this point is being made to the Standing Committee set up under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926.
§ Mr. D. Priceasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what steps he is taking to prevent bacon curers from selling imported Polish bacon which has been cured in Great Britain under the pretext that it has been produced in Great Britain and marking the product accordingly.
§ Mr. John HareThe Merchandise Marks (Imported Goods) No. 3 Order, 1934, makes it obligatory for any Polish bacon imported into the United Kingdom to bear an indication of origin.
An offence may be committed under existing legislation if this bacon is sold subsequently described as bacon produced in Great Britain. If my hon. Friend has a specific case in mind and will give me details, I will look into it.