Mr. DOYLEasked the Minister of Food if he is aware of the fact that quantities of Chinese bacon have been landed in the 1265W London Docks and are being sold as Wiltshire bacon; what steps he is taking to protect the public from fraud and bring the people guilty of it to justice; and if he intends to make any investigation into the charges of open and secret profiteering which are so rife in the docks?
§ Sir W. MITCHELL-THOMSONI am aware that a certain quantity of Chinese bacon was landed at the London Docks, and I am informed that this consignment was intended for re-export to the Continent, for which arrangements are now being made. I should explain that the term "Wiltshire Cut" is a general trade term for a side of bacon cut to a particular specification, the use of which, with regard to imported bacon, does not involve any suggestion of fraud. Under the Bacon, Ham and Lard (Sales) Order, 1920, all imported bacon must be labelled as such when exposed for retail sale, and every invoice on the occasion of a wholesale sale must state whether the bacon is imported or home-produced; so that neither traders nor consumers need be deceived by the continued use of trade terms of old standing. Imported bacon destined for consumption in this country is under the control of the Ministry of Food from packing house to consumer, and, therefore, so far as this commodity is concerned, there is no opportunity for profiteering.