§ Mr. W. Hamiltonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is the policy of his Department on the release of old stocks of canned beef, and on the release of such stocks at regular intervals; what were the reasons for releasing such stocks in Aberdeen recently; how old they were; and what action his Department takes in ensuring that the beef is fit for consumption before sanctioning its sale.
§ Mr. SoamesCorned beef forms part of the Government's stocks of food stored for defence purposes. There is of course a turnover system, with stocks disposed of regularly and new stocks bought. Disposals run at a rate of about 1,000 tons a month. A continuous inspection system ensures that the stocks are always in sound condition for further long-term storage.
Before any stocks are released on the market for human consumption, tests are made by a firm of public surveyors to ensure they are in good condition.
The meat is sold to the trade and dispatched according to the buyers' requirements. Some recently went to Aberdeen, but none was sold in the shop to which the present outbreak of typhoid has been traced. It would have been between 9 and 13 years old.