HC Deb 01 August 1935 vol 304 cc2884-5W
Major OWEN

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the representations received from agricultural organisations regarding the excessive imports of rabbits, he will introduce regulations ordering imported rabbits to be marked with their country of origin?

Mr. ELLIOT

I am unable to trace the receipt of representations from agricultural organisations with regard to excessive imports of rabbits, and, as a matter of fact, the relative statistics show that imports in the first six months of 1935 were substantially less than in the corresponding periods of the two previous years. The issue of an Order in Council under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1926, to require the marking of imported goods of any class or description, including rabbits, would depend in the first instance upon an application to that end from those substantially representing interests such as producers, traders or consumers.