HC Deb 11 April 1932 vol 264 cc546-8
43. Sir A. M. SAMUEL

asked the Minister of Health what steps are taken by authorities other than the Fishmongers' Company to safeguard consumers against the dangers of imported polluted shellfish other than oysters.

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Ernest Brown)

Sanitary authorities have general powers for the inspection and seizure of unwholesome food, and these are put into operation from time to time to prevent the sale of shellfish which appear to be polluted.

Sir A. M. SAMUEL

Is the Ministry paying attention to the recommendation of the Committee that all foreign shellfish should be prohibited from importation unless it is cleansed at the port of arrival?

Mr. BROWN

The hon. Member will be aware that that is only one of the recommendations of the Committee. There are 15 major ones and the report was only published in January.

Mr. ROSBOTHAM

Is the hon. Gentleman of opinion that the passing of the Public Health (Cleansing of Shellfish) Bill will be a step forward in this respect?

44. Sir A. M. SAMUEL

asked the Minister of Health what steps are taken to require that shellfish imported from the Irish Free State shall be cleansed and sterilised before being landed here so as to prevent their being a possible cause of typhoid if used for human consumption?

Mr. E. BROWN

No special regulations have been made by my Department with regard to imported shellfish, but the Irish Free State Government have made regulations prohibiting the distribution for sale for human consumption of shellfish taken from layings in a defined area in the counties of Louth and Meath, unless the shellfish have been washed and re-laid. My right hon. Friend is not aware that any similar regulations have been made applying to other layings in the Irish Free State.

Mr. HANNON

Has the hon. Gentleman received any complaints as to the quality of shellfish received from the Irish Free State?

Mr. BROWN

No representations have been made at the moment except those to which I have referred.

Sir A. M. SAMUEL

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that the Fisheries Committee drew attention to this danger from the Irish Free State?

Mr. BROWN

I am aware of that, but my hon. Friend is perhaps also aware that the Fishmongers Company have an arrangement with the Irish Free State under which all shellfish is consigned labelled in such way as to show the source from which the fish have been derived.