§ MR. CHANNINGI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he has considered the circumstances disclosed at a recent inquest as to deaths at a London hotel, and other instances in the past few years of alleged danger to life from improperly prepared or packed tinned meats, fruits, vegetables. and other articles of food; what precautions are now taken in the way of inspection, or otherwise, to check these risks, both as regards imported and home-produced tinned articles of food; and whether further steps will be taken in the interests of public health.
§ MR. CHAPLINThe Local Government Board have from time to time made investigation into the circumstances of injury to health and danger to life by reason of the consumption of various articles of food, including cases of poisoning by tinned meats and other articles. The method of investigation in these cases is now well known, and it would appear that in the case to which the hon. Member refers the inquest has been adjourned in order that further analysis may be made. Power is given by the general law for the inspection and examination of articles of food deposited for the purpose of sale, or preparation for sale, and intended for the food of man, and it does not appear that further steps than those being adopted in the special case referred to, or than those applicable to the subject generally, are required.