HC Deb 02 May 1932 vol 265 cc808-9
36. Sir A. M. SAMUEL

asked the Minister of Health whether, according to the recommendation of the Fishery Committee, steps have been taken to require that shellfish imported from districts in the Irish Free State outside the counties of Louth and Meath shall be cleansed and sterilised before being landed here, so as to prevent risk of typhoid if used for human consumption?

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

No steps have yet been taken to give effect to this recommendation. I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers given to him on 13th and 18th April by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, with regard to the recommendations contained in the report of the Committee on the Fishing Industry.

Sir A. M. SAMUEL

What is being done actually in the meantime to protect the public against the possibility of the contamination of food?

Mr. BROWN

My hon. Friend knows that he was given an answer on that point some time ago. He is also aware that in reference to the report on this matter, the Minister of Agriculture said that he was in consultation with the other Ministers concerned about the many recommendations in that report.

Sir A. M. SAMUEL

But how does that prevent people getting typhoid from these shellfish? Consultation will not prevent the importation of contaminated food.

Mr. BROWN

Neither will unwise action.

Mr. HANNON

Has the hon. Gentleman received any complaints as to the possibility of these shellfish contaminating food in this country?

Mr. BROWN

My hon. Friend had better put that question down.

37. Sir A. M. SAMUEL

asked the Minister of Health what steps his Department takes to prevent the sale of imported polluted shellfish, in view of the fact that the powers for the inspection of unwholesome food operated by sanitary authorities afford no provision that consignments of imported shellfish shall bear indications to enable those sanitary authorities to detect that consignments are unwholesome food?

Mr. BROWN

If polluted shellfish were imported, my right hon. Friend would communicate with the authorities of the exporting country, and, in the event of evidence of injury to health being caused by imported shellfish, he would not hesitate to make such regulations as might be necessary for the protection of the public health. The powers of local authorities under the Public Health Acts have in a number of cases been used to prevent the sale of shellfish from polluted layings, and these powers apply equally to home produced and imported shellfish.

Sir A. M. SAMUEL

Do I understand by that reply that the hon. Gentleman. takes no steps until the health of the people has been injured?

Mr. BROWN

My hon. Friend must not understand anything of the kind. He must understand that under Section 116 of the Public Health Act the authorities may inspect and examine fish, and seize it, if it appears diseased, unsound, unwholesome or unfit for the food of man.

Sir A. M. SAMUEL

I beg to give notice that, in consequence of the very dangerous nature of the statement made by the hon. Gentleman, I shall raise this question on the Ministry of Health Vote.