§ 13. Mr. WILLIAM THORNEasked the Under-Secretary for War whether on Tuesday, 5th May, several vans were loaded for his Department at the stores of the Compania Sansenina de Carnes Congeladas, Long Lane, Smithfield, with hindquarters of beef from South America; that delivery was accepted with no inspection of the goods whatever either as to soundness or good average quality; and that, except for casual cuts and tears, the canvas cloths covering the beef had not been opened since its departure from South America; whether he can give any information where the meat inspector who devotes his whole time to Government service was when this occurred at twelve noon; and whether, in view of the adverse remarks of the City of London chief veterinary meat inspector on Argentine meat inspection, he can give any assurance that this meat before final use would be subjected to any more efficient inspection than that shown to have been existing at the White City?
Mr. BAKERI am informed that two inspectors were present at the delivery referred to and inspected the meat in question The arrangements made for the inspection of meat before its use by the troops have worked most satisfactorily.