§ Sir N. Grattan-Doyleasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, with a view to relieving doubts as to purity, he will cause a statement to be issued as to the tests made by his Department to watercress before the National Mark is permitted to be applied?
§ Mr. RamsbothamBefore a watercress grower can be authorised as a packer under the National Mark Scheme an examination of the beds and a topographical survey of the surrounding land are made; and samples of the water entering the beds from springs or artesian wells, are analysed by the Government Chemist to ensure that the degree of purity of the water is equal to that of drinking water. Further analyses of the water are made from time to time after authorisation.