*CAPTAIN FABERI beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether ho has any official information showing that a Report has been published by the 1089 State Commissioner of Health at Albany to the effect that the reforms to be made in American tinned meat are still incomplete, and that the chemical analyses of 154 samples of canned meats show the presence of boron preservative and other bad matter; and, if so, whether he will take steps to prevent these canned meats being landed in England.
MR. JOHN BURKSMy right hon. friend has asked me to reply to this Question. I have soon some account in a newspaper of the Report referred to in the Question, and I have asked for a copy of it. It does not appear to me that in the present state of the law I am empowered to take action of the kind suggested by the hon. Member, but, as he is no doubt aware, I have before the House a Bill which would empower me to make regulations authorising measures to be taken for the prevention of danger to the public health arising from the importation of articles of food. I hope I may have the assistance of the hon. Member in passing it.
§ In reply to Mr. Alden (Middlesex, Tottenham),
§ MR. JOHN BURNSsaid the Bill was on the Order Paper, and, if Members would remove their blocking Motions, he saw no reason why it should not go through to-day or to-morrow.