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this action is most strongly deprecated as contrary to the whole practice
of English jurisdiction. Also, the Chamber is advised that the subject
matter of the circular is incorrect and misleading, as, for instance, in
the first paragraph it is stated inter alia that the sulphate of copper is
added to give the peas a 'good colour'; this is not the case, the chemical
being used simply to fix the natural colour, and it is impossible to restore
old or faded peas by its use.
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"Your obedient Servant,
"(Signed) Kenneth Murray,
"Secretary.
"The Rt. Hon. W. H. Long, M.P.,
"President, Local Government Board,
" Whitehall, S.W.
The Local Government Board was informed that it was upon the
advice of the City Solicitors that the circular referred to was distributed,
and that since its distribution many persons receiving it had taken steps
to ascertain the amount of copper (if any) in the peas supplied to them
for sale, and had expressed their appreciation of the action of the
Council in drawing their attention to the matter; that the statement
that it was impossible to restore old or faded peas by the use of copper
sulphate was contrary to the information in the possession of the
Council, as one of the City's Public Analysts, acting on the suggestion
of the Medical Officer of Health, made some old dried peas assume a
green colour by treating them with copper sulphate.