§ MR. HUNTI beg to ask the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the revelations of the methods of the system of preparing American tinned meat a few years ago, he has proofs that the methods now employed are as well inspected and as clean and sanitary as those in this country; whether, as regards fat cattle, he is aware that, in the great majority of cases, tuberculous disease is only apparent in the liver and lungs which, in the case of chilled, frozen, or tinned meat, are not sent to this country; and whether he has any clear proof that, if the lungs or liver are found affected with tuberculosis in cattle killed abroad, there are any regulations which really prevent the meat of cattle so affected from being imported into this country and used as food.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSI can hardly institute a comparison between the two countries as to the sanitary conditions of the places in which meat is prepared for food; but I am glad to say that there is reason to believe that very considerable improvements have been made as to the sanitary conditions of American packing-houses since the occurrences referred to in the Question took place. As regards tuberculosis in fat cattle, the American law requires that meat for export shall be submitted to inspection and passed in accordance with prescribed regulations. In conformity with these regulations a carcase would be condemned if the lungs and liver were affected by tuberculosis, unless the examination showed that the lesions were limited to an extent indicated in the regulations.
§ MR. HUNTasked if in this country the liver and lungs were accepted as fit although showing signs of the disease while the carcases themselves were passed by the inspector.
§ MR. JOHN BURNSNo neither would they be in any country.