§ Mr. HIGHAMasked the Minister of Food whether, since the expiry of the Milk Maximum Order, the power of Food Committees to prosecute milk retailers for short measure has ceased; whether he is aware of the fact that the Islington Food Committee have found as a result of their various tests that, whereas the number of cases of short measure was reduced from 100 per cent. to 11 per cent. under the old Order, they have since the expiry of the said Milk Order again increased to 50 per cent. of the cases tested; whether his attention has been called to paragraph two of the Milk Order, 1920 (No. 116), and the recent magisterial decision declining to convict for short measure where the milk had actually been served by means of an imperial measure, irrespective of the amount of milk in that imperial measure; and whether the Ministry will take steps to strengthen the Order to enable the Food Committee to prosecute for short measure on the part of the retailers of milk?
§ Mr. McCURDYFood Control Committees were only enabled to prosecute milk vendors who gave short measure in cases where they were charging the maximum price for milk, as in such cases the maximum was actually exceeded. Now that the price of milk is no longer controlled this power has disappeared. I have received a report from the Islington Food Control Committee giving the result of their tests for short measure, but I have as yet no information as to the magisterial decision referred to. As I have already stated, it is the intention of the Government to introduce legislation for the purpose of dealing with the question of short measure generally.
§ Mr. A. SHORTasked the Minister of Food whether the Ilford Food Control Committee recently reported a milk dealer for having supplied on two occasions short measure; whether the committee recommended prosecution: and, if so, whether prosecution is to take place?
§ Mr. McCURDYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. After careful consideration it was decided that there was not sufficient ground for the institution of a prosecution in the662W case referred to. Under the Milk Winter Prices Order the giving of short weight was not in itself an offence, but where short weight was given and the maximum price was charged the price charged was in excess of the maximum and the Order was thereby infringed. In the case referred to the maximum price has not been charged.