§ 21. Mr. LAMBERTasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that 528,000 cwts. of butter have been imported from Soviet Russia during the first 11 months of this year; and what steps are taken to ensure that this butter is in all respects fit for consumption in this country?
Sir H. YOUNGYes, Sir. The importation into this country of Russian butter and of other foods is controlled in the interests of public health by the Imported Food and the Preservatives Regulations, and all such foods are subject to examination at the ports?
§ Mr. LAMBERTHow can my right hon. Friend or his officials, without inspection, ascertain whether the cows from which this butter is produced have not had tuberculosis and will not convey these tuberculin germs to the children of this country?
Sir H. YOUNGIt is clear that such inspection and measures of control can only be exercised in this country, and measures of control thus exercised are, in the opinion of my advisers, effective for the purpose which my right hon. Friend has in view.
§ Mr. LAMBERTCan my right hon. Friend say whether it is certain that tubercular germs are not conveyed in this butter?
§ Mr. MORGAN JONESIs there any guarantee that the butter supplied by any other country is equally free from infection?
§ Mr. CHARLES WILLIAMSHas my right hon. Friend any reason to think that any of this butter is fit for human consumption?