§ Mr. HUNTasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, according to American statistics, hundreds of thousands of carcases of animals are marked as fit and wholesome for human food by the American Government from which malignant tumours and abscesses, and parts affected by other diseases, have been cut out; and will he say what steps are taken by his Department to secure the detection in this country of imported tinned or preserved meat derived from such carcases?
§ Mr. BURNSI am aware of the American statistics. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer the hon. Member to answers which I have previously given on this subject.
§ Mr. HUNTWill the right hon. Gentleman say whether or not this meat from diseased animals can be detected in a preserved or tinned state? That has not been answered.
§ Mr. BURNSEach case is dealt with on its merits or its demerits, and all I can say, as a general answer to my hon. Friend, is 833 that the Liverpool Shipowners, representing 33 per cent. of the shipping of the United Kingdom, are complaining of what they term the excessive stringency and zeal with which we are administering the Food Regulations Act of 1908.
§ Mr. BURNSIn certain cases no objection can be raised on health grounds to using as food the carcase of cattle from which some parts have been removed.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEIs it not the fact that several of the local authorities in England prevent the apparently sound portion of the carcase to be used for human food if any portion of the animal is diseased.
§ Mr. KILBRIDEIt is so.