HC Deb 18 March 1935 vol 299 cc812-3
35. Sir W. DAVISON

asked the Minister of Health the total number of eggs in shell imported from China into this country during the years 1933 and 1934, respectively, and the number of hundredweights of liquid and frozen eggs imported from China during the same years; and whether he is aware of the insanitary conditions under which such eggs are produced in China?

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

I am sending my hon. Friend an extract from the "Accounts relating to Trade and Navigation of the United Kingdom" for December, 1934, in which he will find the information desired. With regard to the latter part of the question, I would refer my hon. Friend to the answers on this subject given to my hon. Friends the Members for Devizes (Sir P. Hurd) and Moseley (Mr. Hannon) on the 11th February and the 14th March, of which I am also sending him copies.

Sir W. DAVISON

In view of the great increase in these imports in 1934 as compared with 1933, will the Minister take into consideration the large number of ex-service men who have started poultry farming, and who are obliged to run their farms under very different conditions from those which obtain on the Chinese farms from which these eggs come?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

We are, of course, only concerned with the matter from the health point of view. My hon. Friend will see from the answers what steps we are taking.

Sir A. KNOX

Will the Minister send someone out to China to see where these eggs are laid?