§ 54. Mr. STANTONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether, in view of the recent seizures at Smith- field Market of tuberculous meat and the danger that the existing high price of meat may tempt many persons where they consider themselves safe from efficient inspection to unload such goods in the form of sausage meat, piece meat, pie meat, etc., he will address a circular letter to all local sanitary authorities directing that all slaughterings are to be notified and that animals and dead meat shall be, if possible, inspected by the local authorities at the time of slaughter and before being offered for sale?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the LOCAL GOVERNMENT BOARD (Mr. S. Walsh)My right hon. Friend is advised that, under existing conditions, notification of the time of slaughtering would not achieve the result aimed at, but the possibility of securing more prompt inspection by greater concentration of the places where slaughtering takes place is under consideration.
§ 55. Mr. STANTONasked the President of the Local Government Board whether the officers of his Department instituted an examination of the tuberculous and diseased meat which, during the last six weeks, has been continuously deposited in Smithfield Market; and whether, in view of the national danger that such goods may be diverted to markets where the meat inspection is of a less trained and efficient character than that of the City of London Corporation, ho will cause to be circulated to Members of Parliament 813 and local sanitary authorities the Report, if any, prepared by his officers on the subject?
§ Mr. WALSHOne of the Board's inspectors has seen, at Smithfield Market, specimens of the diseased meat referred to, but no inspection of the character suggested in the question has been made by the officers of the Board. That duty devolves upon the officials of the Corporation of London. No Report has been prepared by the Department on the subject.