§ SIR MARK STEWART (Kirkcudbright)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board if he is aware that large quantities of dairy produce are imported from countries where sanitary regulations may be said not to exist; and what precautions the Government are taking to protect consumers against peril to health from diseased foreign produce?
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLThere is no doubt that dairy produce is imported from countries where there are not the same regulations in force as to dairies and cowsheds as in England. But I am not aware that large quantities of dairy produce are imported from countries where sanitary regulations do not exist. The precautions which are provided for the protection of consumers against peril to health from diseased foreign produce are the same as those in the case of home produce. Medical Officers of Health and Inspectors of Nuisances throughout the country are empowered to examine any animal, carcase, meat, flesh, milk, and a number of other articles, which are deposited for sale, and to seize any such articles which appear to be diseased or unsound or unwholesome or unfit for food, with a view to the same being dealt 1082 with by a Justice, and the Justice is empowered to order the same to be destroyed, or otherwise disposed of, so as to prevent its being used for food. A penalty not exceeding £20, or at the discretion of the Justice imprisonment for a term of not more than three months, may be imposed in such cases.
§ SIR MARK STEWARTHas that ever taken place?
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELLI must ask for notice of that Question.