HC Deb 26 March 1914 vol 60 cc546-7
59. Mr. HUNT

asked the President of the Local Government Board whether his attention has been drawn to the fact that the medical officer of health for the Port of London reported to the corporation that certain pig carcases affected with tuberculosis were found among the meat which arrived recently from Flushing at Queen-borough, and that they all bore the official certificate of the Netherlands Government as approved by the Local Government Board; that one carcase affected similarly arrived from Ostend and bore the Belgian Government certificate, and that a consignment of Australian meat, consisting of 398 buttocks, proved to contain to the extent of 12.3 per cent. worm-nests, and that this meat bore the official certificate of the Australian Commonwealth; and will he give the names of the firms which slaughtered and dispatched this meat and the names of the firms to whom it was consigned?

Mr. HERBERT SAMUEL

My attention has been called to the report referred to. It must not be understood that the official certificates of foreign Governments in any way exempt carcases from examination on arrival in this country. I am informed that the buttocks referred to were consigned by Messrs. B. R. Richards and Sons, of Sydney, to their representative in London. I have no information as to the names of the consignors of the pigs or of any of the consignees, except in the case of two pigs out of a large number.

60. Mr. GINNELL

had given notice of the following question: To ask the Attorney-General what action the Director of Public Prosecutions has taken with reference to the introduction of infectious cattle disease at Birkenhead, and with reference to the sending of men in close contact therewith to Ireland to spread the disease there, to the loss and inconvenience of the public; and, if no action has been taken, will he say why, and whether any will be taken?

In the absence of the Attorney-General I beg to postpone this question to this day week; and, if you will allow me, I wish to ask how long he intends to evade it?