HC Deb 09 November 1959 vol 613 cc4-6
9. Mr. Janner

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he is aware that imported liver and meat are being sold when unfit for human consumption because of the fact that, if meat is marked unfit for human consumption, meat inspectors have no right to supervise it or order where it goes; and when he proposes to introduce regulations instructing that all unfit meat must be stained and sterilised.

Mr. John Hare

I have had no evidence submitted to me that imported unfit meat or offal is being sold for human consumption. If the hon. Member knows of any case of misuse, perhaps he will let me know. On his second Question, my right hon. and learned Friend the Minister of Health and I are considering the matter.

Mr. Janner

Will the right hon. Gentleman make inquiries of the medical officer of health for the City and Port of London, who recently issued a report on this matter, who apparently is deeply concerned about the position? Will he also speed up the consideration to which he refers in his Answers as quickly as possible?

Mr. Hare

Of course, I am in touch with the medical officer on this point, but I do not see much point in making regulations just for regulations' sake.

Mr. Janner

I am not asking for that.

Mr. Hare

I think we must be very certain that something useful will be achieved before we go ahead with regulations.

Mr. Willey

The right hon. Gentleman will remember that he made regulations which were withdrawn on the assurance that new regulations would be speedily laid. Surely he will undertake to do that as speedily as possible?

Mr. Hare

The hon. Gentleman knows perfectly well that those regulations were the subject of considerable criticism from both sides of the House. It is the job of any Minister to take into account the feelings of the House as a whole. There was a very considerable difference of opinion as to the desirability of those regulations.

Mrs. Braddock

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that during that debate a very positive statement was made about the inability of medical officers of health to deal with this problem? I understood that the regulations were withdrawn because they were not tight enough, not because there was any dissension about them on either side of the House. Will he see that regulations are speeded up, otherwise we are going to be in great danger?

Mr. Hare

Naturally, I listened to what the hon. Lady said, but there was considerable criticism of the Regulations—

Mrs. Braddock

No.

Mr. Hare

—from both sides of the House because the proposed regulations were too tight. I do not think there was any criticism that they should be tightened. As this is a complicated matter, I think it should be left to me.