HC Deb 01 September 1909 vol 10 cc352-4
Mr. A. FELL

asked the President of the Local Government Board if the shipment of Chinese pork has now been passed by the inspectors, and if he has received any report from the inspectors of the condition of the pork?

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

A small proportion only of the consignment of Chinese pigs has been exmined at present, as the examination is only made as the carcases are required for trade purposes. As yet no report has been presented by the Medical Officer of Health for the City on the subject, and the time has not yet arrived when a general report could be made.

Mr. FELL

May I ask how many tons, roughly, have been passed through at the present time, and also whether it is going into consumption without any report having been presented to the Local Government Board?

Mr. BURNS

Not many tons have been passed into consumption. They are all in cold storage. I have two officers engaged on special examination on behalf of the Board itself, and the Chief Medical Officer of the Port Sanitary Authority with his staff is giving special attention to this matter.

Mr. LEVERTON HARRIS

May I ask the right hon. Gentleman if the Merchandise Marks Act would apply?

Mr. BURNS

No; and if the hon. Member had seen these pigs, as I have, he would not want it to apply.

Mr. P. J. O'SHAUGHNESSY

May I ask if this pork will be sold as Chinese pork and labelled as such?

Mr. BURNS

Like all pork, it will be sold as pork. If it is good it will go into consumption; if it is bad the officers will condemn it.

Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY

Would it not be a fraud on Irish pork, for instance, if it were sold merely as pork, and if it were bad?

Mr. SPEAKER

These are two hypothetical questions which the hon. Member had better put down.

Mr. FELL

asked what is the estimated cost of making the special inspection of the shipment of Chinese pork; and will the cost of it fall upon the importers or on the Government?

Mr. BURNS

The examination of the pigs is carried out in the ordinary course of meat inspection made under the Public Health (Foreign Meat) Regulations, 1908, by officers who are appointed and paid by the City Corporation. The charge for the storage of the carcases pending examination falls upon the importers.

Mr. FELL

asked the President of the Board of Trade what is the quantity and value for import purposes of the shipment of Chinese pork received in the Port of London last month?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD Of TRADE (Mr. H. J. Tennant)

A single consignment of frozen pork was imported into the United Kingdom from China at the end of July, but too late for inclusion in the trade returns for that month. It amounted to 6,020 cwts. valued at £11,238.

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