§ 43. Mr. NANNETTIasked the President of the Local Government Board whether there is any veterinary inspection for the local authorities enforcing the Public Health Act at Deptford, Birkenhead, and Bristol; and, if so, can he state, if such veterinary inspection under the Public Health Acts at the aforesaid places takes place, what numbers were condemned as unfit for the food of man and consequently confiscated?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. Herbert Lewis)I assume that the hon. Member's question, so far as regards Deptford, refers to the Foreign Cattle Market, which is actually within the Metropolitan Borough of Greenwich, but which is controlled by the Corporation of the City of London. I am informed that all animals landed at this market are examined by an inspector of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, and that all carcases are inspected by a duly qualified meat inspector. During 1909, 1910, and 1911, eighteen, twenty-two, and fifteen entire carcases were condemned, and in addition a very small percentage of offal and organs was condemned. At Birkenhead a meat inspector with special training and long experience is engaged on this work. The number of carcases, parts of carcase and pieces of offal condemned in 1909, 1910, and 1911 were eighty-five, forty-four, and forty-seven, respectively, out of a total number of animals killed of 145,774, 90,330, and 79,215. At Bristol there are two meat inspectors, and the meat condemned in 1909, 1910, and 1911 consisted of 174, 152, and 219 whole carcases and odd pieces of meat. An inspector has also been appointed whose work consists exclusively in the examination of imported food-stuffs.
§ Mr. NANNETTIWere any Irish cattle included?