§ 82. Major NEWMANasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether he has obtained any report as to the condition of the meat arriving at Smithfield and elsewhere from Ireland; whether he is aware that the sides of beef so arriving have been described as so old and lean that they would not have been bought to feed hounds on and warranting the assumption that the-beast was in such 443 poverty of condition that it would not have borne the voyage across the Irish Channel; whether he is aware that the meat further shows signs of exposure and rough handling and a large percentage of it has had to be condemned; and will he take steps to have all beef examined and graded in Ireland before export and so save waste of tonnage?
Mr. PARKERThe Food Controller is aware that meat has been received from Ireland in an unsatisfactory condition, and he is in consultation with the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland upon the subject.
§ Major NEWMANWill the beef be examined and graded in Ireland before it is shipped to this country?
Mr. PARKERI am afraid I cannot answer that definitely. There is a consultation taking place in regard to the matter.