§ MR. ALDENI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, according to the report of the medical officer of health for the City of London, tinned foods, consisting of leftover war stores from South Africa, are being continually put upon the market at low prices and sold to the poor of East and South London; that some of it has been dealt with as trade refuse by one of the borough councils; and whether, in view of these facts, he will cause special inquiry to be made with regard to the distribution and sale of these doubtful stores.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS, Battersea)I understand that the medical officer of health for the City has made a report on this subject, and I have asked for a copy of it. I believe, however, that the facts are generally as stated in the Question. I have for some months past endeavoured to ascertain all the available facts as to the importation and distribution of the foods referred to, and as far as practicable to prevent their reaching the public when they have been unsound or dangerous. As I have, however, stated on previous occasions further legislation of the kind contemplated by the Public Health (Regulations as to Food) Bill now before the House is necessary to enable a matter of this kind to be dealt with effectively.