§ MR. SLOANTo ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland what special training, if any, medical officers of health have got in veterinary matters: and whether, seeing that by the Public Health Act they are expected to diagnose diseases in animals used for food of man, he will give instructions to all sanitary authorities that only veterinary surgeons be employed in the inspection of meat and milch cows in all cases where the medical officer of health has no special training.
(Answered by Mr. Birrell.) In the case of county boroughs any person who may be appointed as medical superintendent officer of health is required to possess a diploma in sanitary science, public health, or state medicine. This requirement ensures 1365 that the person appointed possesses the requisite training to enable him to discharge the duties which devolve upon him in the inspection of meat intended for human food. In other districts in which a medical superintendent officer of health is appointed the officer is required to possess a similar diploma. Any sanitary authority may appoint a veterinary surgeon for the purpose of the inspection of meat to be used for human food, and such appointments have boon made in the case of Dublin and Belfast.