MR. FIELDI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether the Bovine Tuberculosis Commission is still engaged in inquiry; whether their Report may be soon expected; and, whether, pending its issue, the Local Government Board will instruct its Medical Officers of Health to modify their directions of 192 confiscating without compensation the property of traders who purchased the animals in open market?
§ MR. H. CHAPLIN (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)had given notice to ask the right hon. Gentleman what is the cause of the continued delay in the presentation of the Report of the Royal Commission on Tuberculosis; whether he is aware that on the 24th November, 1893, it was stated by the Government that it was confidently expected that it would be ready in December of that year; that on eight different occasions since then the Government have assured the House that it might be expected shortly; and, whether they still entertain any expectation that it will be presented shortly; and, if so, within what period.
§ MR. L. KNOWLES (Salford, W.)had given notice to ask when the Royal Commission will present a Report.
§ MR. SHAW-LEFEVREI regret the delay which has occurred in the presentation of a Report by the Royal Commission. The delay is, to some extent, attributable to the illness and death of the late Lord Basing, who was the Chairman of the Commission. A new Commission, with Sir George Buchanan as Chairman, was appointed in November, 1894, Lord Basing having died in the previous month. During the recess I have been in communication with the Chairman on the subject, and he fully realizes how much importance is attached to the early publication of the Report. I am informed that the Commissioners, at a meeting held last month, agreed upon certain matters to be stated as the opinions of the Commission, and that they will meet at the end of the present month or the beginning of March, when a draft Report will be before them for consideration. I am not in a position to make any more definite statement. The Medical Officer of Health has no authority to confiscate meat which may be seized as diseased or unwholesome or as unfit for food. It is only a magistrate who can condemn the meat and order it to be destroyed or so disposed of as to prevent its being used for food. The Local Government Board have no power to give instructions to the Medical Officer of Health in the matter. His duties are prescribed by the Statute.