§ Colonel J. R. H. Hutchisonasked the Minister of Food whether he is prepared to take steps to prevent misleading labels being affixed to liquor purporting to be Scotch whisky.
§ Mr. H. WilsonI have been asked to reply. Any person who applies a false trade description to goods may be prosecuted under the Merchandise Marks Act, 1887. Prosecutions may be, and frequently are, taken by trade associations or individuals, but the Board of Trade have powers to prosecute if the public interest is involved. In addition Regulation 1 of the Defence (Sale of Food) Regulation, 1943, makes it an offence to label food or liquor in a manner which 201W falsely describes or is otherwise calculated to mislead as to its nature, substance, or quality. Further, the Labelling of Food Order, 1946, provides, inter alia, that "geographical names which are not names for distinctive types of intoxicating liquor shall not be applied to any liquor produced in any locality other than the particular locality indicated by the name." Where liquors are described on sale in a false or misleading way there are, therefore, several enactments under which proceedings might be taken. But action can in any case only be taken through the courts.