HC Deb 31 January 1966 vol 723 cc675-6
41. Mr. Braine

asked the Minister of Health if he is satisfied that corned beef originating from Establishment 1819 in the Argentine, which was originally suspect as a hazard to health and has since been reprocessed in accordance with the recommendations of the Milne Committee, can now be safely released for sale to the public; and if he will make a statement.

Mr. K. Robinson

I would refer the hon. Member to the reply given to my hon. Friend the Member for Huddersfield, West (Mr. Lomas) on 26th January, 1966, by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food.

Mr. Braine

Can the Minister confirm that following the discovery that some of the Establishment 1819 corned beef was suspect, those companies holding stocks were told by his Department that the product would be all right provided it was reprocessed? Why did the Prime Minister intervene to prevent the sale of one particular consignment of stocks? Would it not have been more consistent for the Government to have banned all sales of stocks? Does not the right hon. Gentleman agree that in matters of public health there should be some consistency?

Mr. Robinson

The fact is that not only matters of public health but matters of commercial practice were involved. That is a subject for which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture is responsible, and he has, I think, explained to the House why those stocks have been withdrawn by the holders of the consignment concerned.

Mr. Hector Hughes

In view of the disastrous effects which imported corned beef has had recently on the national health, will the Minister specify clearly and particularly what scientific steps he takes to satisfy himself that imported corned beef is fit for human consumption?

Mr. Robinson

Without accepting the premises on which my hon. and learned Friend's supplementary question was based, I can assure him that every reasonable step is taken to ensure the safety of imported meat, and we have recently reviewed, and so has my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture, the arrangements for these imports.