§ MR. WEIR (Ross and Cromarty)To ask the President of the Local Government Board, having regard to the fact that the carcasses of upwards of 1,000 calves, which were vaccinated at the Local Government Board vaccine station for the production of lymph, have recently been sold for food in London, will he arrange for the carcasses of all animals which have been used for the production of vaccine lymph to be destroyed.
(Answered by Mr. Gerald Balfour.) I am advised that there is no evidence whatever that the carcasses of animals used for the purpose referred to are thereby rendered unfit for food. The destruction of the carcasses would, moreover, involve a large additional charge upon the Exchequer, amounting probably to some £4,000 a year, and having regard to these considerations I am not prepared to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member. I may add that the carcasses 222 are thoroughly examined by a veterinary Burgeon before being allowed to be sold for food.