HC Deb 01 July 1909 vol 7 cc580-1
Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

(for Mr. Thomas O'Donnell) asked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether frozen pigs are shipped from Chinese ports for consumption in these countries; if so, what quantity has been landed during the past twelve months; whether there has been any inspection either in Chinese ports or at the landing ports in this country to safeguard the future consumers of this meat; and whether full inquiries will be made in China regarding the feeding, killing, curing, and packing of these pigs before they are allowed to be landed in this country?

The PRESIDENT of the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. John Burns)

My right hon. Friend has asked me to reply to this question. No frozen carcases of pigs from Chinese ports have been imported into this country during the last twelve months. A packing-house and freezing establishment has, however, lately been constructed at Hankow, and a consignment from it of frozen pig carcases is expected to arrive here at the end of the present month. I have caused inquiry to be made into the matter, and have obtained information from the importing firm as to the feeding, killing, curing, and packing of the pigs. On arriving in this country the consignment will become subject to the Public Health (Foreign Meat) Regulations, which I issued last year, and I have caused communication to be made to the Medical Officer of Health of the port at which the consignment is expected to arrive with a view to securing that a strict examination is made of the carcases in question.

Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

Is he satisfied with the result of his inquiries into the matter? He said he had instituted inquiry.

Mr. BURNS

No carcases of pigs have yet arrived. We anticipate their arrival by taking precautions, and I can assure the hon. Member that when such consignment does arrive it will be inspected generally in the most rigorous way, and my medical officers will do their best to subject this, the first consignment, to microscopic examination.

Mr. KILBRIDE

Can he say whether this firm, which is established at Hankow, and which is making the arrangements for this importation, is English or American?

Mr. BURNS

I do not know and I do not care. They will all have to toe the line as far as inspection is concerned.