§ MR. WHITEHEAD (Essex, S.E.)To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the recent action of the Fishmongers Company in stopping the sale at Billingsgate of all cockles from Leigh; whether he is aware that this was done in consequence of an allegation that a basket of bad cockles had originated from Leigh; whether he is aware that the basket from which the cockles alleged to have caused typhoid were supplied was not owned by any cockier at Leigh, and that the cockles at Leigh observe the regulations necessary for the protection of the public as laid down by Dr. Klein; and whether he proposes to take any action in regard to this exercise of authority by the Fishmongers Company, in view of the loss inflicted on the cockle fishermen at Leigh.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I have communicated with the Fishmongers Company on this subject, and find that they have taken the action referred to in consequence of their being satisfied that the cockles at Leigh had not observed the regulations laid down by the company for the protection of the public. The company state that they have no information with reference to the basket of bad cockles referred to in the Question. I have no control over the company in the matter.