§ Sir L. SCOTTasked the Minister of Health whether his attention had been called to the case of two summonses against Messrs. Melias, Limited, in which it was alleged that at their Gloucester shop they had sold butter adulterated in one case with 15'8 per cent. of foreign fat and in the other case with 20 5 per cent. of foreign fat; whether he is aware that in each case the butter was reported absolutely pure by Messrs. Hehner and Cox, independent analytical chemists in London, and also by the Government analyst at Somerset House, and that in consequence the authorities in Gloucester withdrew the prosecution recently, but no compensation has been made to Messrs. Melias for the damage done to their reputation by the action of the local authority; whether he will consider what steps are possible to prevent such cases which, though brought in good faith, are so injurious to a trader's reputation; and whether a right to some compensation from the local authority will be conferred when a legislative opportunity next arises?
§ Sir K. WOODMy right hon. Friend understands that the facts are as stated in the question and he is causing inquiries to be made. While any damage caused by the institution of proceedings under the Sale of Food and Drugs Acts which are subsequently withdrawn must be a matter for regret, cases similar to 1469W that referred to are, so far as my right hon. Friend is aware, of rare occurrence, and he could not undertake to introduce legislation providing for compensation in such circumstances. The remedy would appear to lie in giving publicity to the facts of the case, which my right hon. Friend hopes this question will help to secure