SIR GILBERT PARKEROn behalf of the hon. Member for the Central Division of Sheffield, I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade what was the total importation of American canned meats, game, fish, fruits, and other preserved foods into the United Kingdom and the British Empire in the twelve months ending 31st December, 1900 and 1905, respectively; and, having regard to the disclosures concerning the trade in the recent report of a United States Commission presented to Congress, and the public strictures regarding it attributed to President Roosevelt, what steps he proposes to take to protect British consumers from the evil effects of partaking of such foods.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF TRADE (Mr. LLOYD-GEORGE,) Carnarvon BoroughsThe American Trade Returns show that the value of canned meat, fish, and fruit exported from the United States to the British Empire in the year 1900–1 was £2,764,000, of 705 which £2,234,000 went to the United Kingdom. The corresponding figures for the year 1904–5 were £2,465,000 to the British Empire, and £2,062,000 to the United Kingdom. As regards the last part of the Question which relates to a matter of public health, I am in communication with the Local Government Board and Customs, and I am informed that all practicable steps are and will be taken by the competent Departments for the protection of British consumers. In this connection I may refer to the reply given on June 8th † by my right hon. friend the President of the Local Government Board to a Question by the hon. Member for the St. Patrick division of Dublin.
§ † See Col. 617.
§ DR. MACNAMARA (Camberwell, N.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board what the Board proposes to do in regard to canned meats and other canned foods imported into this country.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSBeyond the action mentioned in the detailed reply to the hon. Member for Dublin which was published in Saturday's papers † I have to add that what can be done by administrative action in this serious matter is being done and will be persistently continued. Representations have been made to the Foreign Office with regard to effective inspection of foodstuffs in the country from which the largest supply comes. In the event of either or both courses being insufficient, I will ask the House to grant further, and, if necessary, legislative, powers to the Local Government Board, and I rely with some confidence on the House granting such indispensable authority.
§ SIR HOWARD VINCENTWill the right hon. Gentleman recommend boards of guardians to obtain supplies from Australia, New Zealand, and other Colonies?
§ [No Answer was returned.]