HC Deb 14 November 1929 vol 231 cc2249-50W
Sir C. CAYZER

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that the County Council of Cheshire strongly urges that definite action should be taken by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Ministry of Health for the purpose of ensuring, by special legislation or otherwise, that cheese other than full-meat cheese shall not be offered for sale unless it is clearly labelled or marked in such a manner that the purchaser may be made aware of the quality of the cheese offered for sale, he will now consider the desirability of introducing fresh legislation on the subject?

Dr. ADDISON

The question of the sale of half-meat cheese has been constantly before the Department for several years past. I am not sure whether the hon. Member is aware that local authorities, under the Food and Drugs (Adulteration) Act, 1928, have power already to deal with cases where it is sold under a name which indicates that it is whole-meat cheese and convictions have been obtained from time to time. To carry the matter further would involve legislation which might needlessly harass the trader without commensurate advantage.