HC Deb 07 July 1958 vol 591 c19
23. Mr. Blenkinsop

asked the Minister of Health what action he is taking to ensure that imports of egg white are fully inspected before release to manufacturers.

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Health (Mr. Richard Thompson)

Port health and other local authorities have been asked to pay special attention to the sampling of imported egg products for bacteriological examination. At present, the authorities try, whenever possible, to sample every batch. It would not, of course, be practicable to sample every tin.

Mr. Blenkinsop

Does the Minister recognise the importance of this issue in view of the wide use of this material in the general preparation of confectionery of all kinds? Does he not agree that the reports from his own Ministry show that there is a large proportion of samples taken which show a high level of infection?

Mr. Thompson

Yes, we recognise that there is a problem here, but we consider that the present arrangements for sampling are the best we have tried and also that the wish which we have made known to the exporting countries ought to provide a solution.