HC Deb 08 November 1948 vol 457 cc1254-5
27. Mr. Harrison

asked the Minister of Food whether in view of the recent cases in which fines were inflicted after it had been established in court that certain meat killing and preparation for made up food had been conducted under filthy conditions, he will review his regulations and their enforcement, and if necessary make stronger regulations and enforce them rigorously in all food preparation depots.

Mr. Strachey

The conditions under which food is prepared for sale for human consumption and governed by the Food and Drugs Act, 1938, which is enforced by local authorities. The cases to which my hon. Friend refers have not disclosed defects in this Act, but they underline the importance of rigorous enforcement, and my officers have instructions to co-operate to the fullest extent with officers of the local authorities with a view to discovering and bringing to justice—as I am glad to say has been done in this case—those who, for personal gain, disregard the public welfare in this way.

Mr. Harrison

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the announcement which he has just made will give great satisfaction to people all over the British Isles, because of the terrible revelations in the cases to which I have referred in my Question?

Mr. Burke

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the most revolting case in Lancashire has been going on for four months, whereby diseased and germ-ridden animal carcases have been supplied in 24 towns to 250 shops? Is he satisfied that his enforcement officers have been aware of this and really awake to the facts, because this case was discovered only by accident? Does he consider that these fines constitute justice, and is it really true that the welfare of the public is safeguarded against a recurrence?

Mr. Strachey

My enforcement officers, in general, only co-operate with the local authorities in this matter, because it is on the latter that the responsibility for enforcement rests. If my hon. Friend has any particular case in mind, in which he does not think that the action taken has been sufficiently rigorous, perhaps he will let me know.

Mr. Royle

Is my right hon. Friend aware that the Press in Lancashire last week received hundreds of letters from members of the public showing very great concern about the cases referred to? Cannot some more immediate and serious steps be taken to restore the confidence of the public in manufactured foods?

Mr. Strachey

There is nothing to prevent the local authorities all over Lancashire or elsewhere from taking the most vigorous action in this matter, wherever they think they have a case, and we shall be very happy to co-operate with them.

Mr. Sutcliffe

Is not the only way to restore confidence, to a large extent, to issue another Statutory Rule and Order dealing with the slaughter of horses for human consumption?

Mr. Sydney Silverman

Does not my right hon. Friend agree that rigorous enforcement would include adequate penalties, and is he not aware that the penalties recently enforced in some cases struck ordinary, common-sense people as being totally inadequate in the circumstances?

Mr. Strachey

As regards the penalties imposed in these cases, there was one set of fines amounting to £2,000 and another of £1,700, which are not light.