§ MR. J. BURNS (Battersea)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if he can state the number of long-voyage ships whose provisions have been examined during the past year, and the number of rejections by the Food Inspectors?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThe Act was brought into practical operation on duly 10 last. Betwixt that date and December 31 the number of ships whoso provisions were inspected was 1,015, and stores of different kinds were rejected on board 391 ships.
§ MR. J. BURNSCan the right hon. Gentleman state the number of cases in which the water of the ships was found to be unsatisfactory?
§ MR. MUNDELLANo; but, I will inquire as to that. This question refers only to the stores. I believe that in every case the water was required to be satisfactory, and was made satisfactory. The Act is working very smoothly and very well. Shipowners are not giving us any trouble. On the contrary, they rather welcome the operation of the Act.
§ MR. MUNDELLAEvery description of stores—biscuit, beef, pork, and other articles.
§ MR. MUNDELLAEvery kind.