§ MR. HUNT (Shropshire, Ludlow)To ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the fact that no test for tuberculosis is possible for any of the chilled, frozen, or tinned beef and mutton imported into this country, he can see his way to compel butchers who sell foreign meat to have a notice to that effect plainly written over their shops and on their carts; and, if unable to do this, will he introduce legislation for this purpose to protect the general public of this country.
To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the fact that no test for tuberculosis is at present possible for any of the frozen, chilled, or tinned beef and mutton imported into this country, he could see his way to imposing such a test for the protection of the British public.
(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) Perhaps I may be allowed to answer these Questions. I do not think it would be practicable to adopt the precise expedients which the hon. Member suggests; but the subject of the importation of foreign meat has received my consideration, and I have lately issued some regulations with regard to the matter which come into force on 1st January next, and a copy of which I will send to him.