§ 20. Mr. O'DONNELLasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether American meat saturated with preservatives is allowed to come into this country without restriction, while in America no preservatives are allowed; and what steps he proposes to take to safeguard the Irish public who, in ignorance of this fact, may purchase this meat?
§ Mr. RUSSELLI would refer the hon. Member to the Foreign Meat Regulations (Ireland) of the 18th November, 1908, and the 1st November, 1909, the general effect of which is to render meat imported from 17 places abroad liable to be examined by the medical officer of health of the district to which such meat has been imported, and, if found diseased, unsound, unwholesome or unfit for human consumption, liable to be destroyed unless it is proved not to be intended for human consumption or its exportation is guaranteed and carried out.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether his Department has the carrying out of this Act, and, if so, is this foreign meat inspected to see whether it complies with those regulations?
§ Mr. RUSSELLI do not think my Department has any control over the medical officer of health.
§ Mr. O'DONNELLWho has control and inspection of the meat that comes to Ireland from America?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe medical officer of health is under the Local Government Board.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYDoes any inspection of the meat imported from America as a matter of fact. take place at all?