§ MR. HENNIKER HEATON (Canterbury)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware that, owing to the publication by the Local Government Board of a Report on Cholera, and of another Report on Oyster Culture in Relation to Disease, public confidence in the wholesomeness of oysters has been so much impaired that the annual consumption of oysters has fallen off to the extent of three-fourths, and a large number of the fishing poulalation have been reduced to distress; whether he has observed that the reports alluded to condemn only a few small oyster layings round the coasts of England, while many of the chief layings, including the whole of those on the coast of Kent, were declared free from contamination; whether he is aware that the Kentish layings thus pronounced free from disease are more extensive than all those in the rest of the Kingdom put together; and whether he is aware that they have suffered from the lack of demand equally with the polluted layings; whether, with a view to restore public confidence in a valuable article of diet and assist the fishing population, he will recommend the appointment of inspectors of layings, and also of all shops and stalls for the sale of oysters, authorised to enforce such conditions of sanitation as may effectually safeguard the public against disease; whether he is aware that foreign oysters are frequently introduced into this country from polluted layings, and that the only instance of enteric fever in an epidemic form arising in England from oysters was traced to the eating of Dutch oysters; and whether he will therefore recommend that it shall be made a penal offence to sell oysters brought from foreign layings without declaring their origin at the time of sale and without plainly marking such origin?
§ MR. RITCHIEI have little doubt that the reports referred to have, to some extent, impaired the confidence of the public in the wholesomeness of oysters, but I venture to think that my hon. Friend overestimates the decrease in their consumption. I am aware that, whilst only a certain number of beds are condemned, others have suffered from the reduction in demand. The trade has brought the matter to the notice of my right hon. colleague the President of the Local Government Board, whose province it is to deal with questions affecting the public health; but if it should be found that the Board of Trade can take any useful action in the matter, I shall be ready to give careful consideration to any proposals which may be laid before me. As at present advised I do not think that the marking of foreign oysters—[laughter]—would be either feasible or an efficient remedy.