§ Mr. Buchananasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he is aware that Mr. Auld, a baker, in Norfolk Street, Glasgow, was recently fined £20 at the sheriff court for 17 offences of selling cakes made with 5,000 pounds of figs and sultanas which were diseased and overrun with beetles; when the officer of his Ministry was first aware that this man had bought this stuff and was selling it to the public; and why there was a long delay between the offence being traced by his Ministry and criminal proceedings having been taken?
§ Mr. MabaneI am aware of the case to which my hon. Friend refers. Although the offences came to light in August as a result of a visit of an enforcement officer attached to the West of Scotland Divisional Food Office, who was at this time concerned with the investigation of another matter, the offences committed were not against any Order made by my Department and proceedings were taken under the Glasgow Police Act. With regard to the delay referred to by my hon. Friend, I can only say that the consultations which were necessary with the various authorities concerned took a great deal of time.