§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been called to the recent prosecution, in Denmark, of Alexander Poison, manager of the Albion Bacon Curing Factory, Holbeck, Denmark, for malpractices in the curing of tuberculous bogs and for melting down diseased hogs in the lard pan, for which he was fined 1,000 kroner; whether he is aware that the average weekly importations from Denmark, inclusive of the products of this factory, are about 13,000 bales of bacon; and can he state what steps he proposes to take to prevent the introduction into this country of tuberculous bacon and lard from the Albion or any other suspected factory in Denmark.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. JOHN BURNS,) BatterseaI understand that the person mentioned in the Question was, after strict investigation by the Danish Minister of Agriculture, fined for melting lard derived from diseased animals, but that the lard was rendered at a temperature which would kill all disease germs. I am informed that he was not found to have committed any malpractices in the curing of tuberculous hogs. Under the law of Denmark bacon exported to this country is prepared from the carcases of pigs inspected at the time of slaughtering by veterinary surgeons approved by the Minister of Agriculture and acting independently of the bacon factories. It does not seem to me that the case referred to makes it necessary that any action should be taken by me for the purpose suggested in the last part of the Question.