§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Health (1) how many foreign imports of food and other commodities were detected and stopped on the ground that they were likely to cause infection during each of the last five years; of what kind they were; and how they were then disposed of;
- (2) what steps he takes to prevent and limit the infection of British people and food by foreign food imports and by foreign immigrants, and with what results;
- (3) if he will make a statement on the steps which he takes to preserve the standards of sanitation and food hygiene in Britain with a view to preventing outbreaks of infectious diseases;
- (4) if he will state his procedure on the import, storage and distribution of tinned and other food, indicating the types of food, its sources, and the period of storage; if he will give details of the method of examination and the qualifications of the examiners; and what reports he receives before and after the release of such food for human consumption.
§ Mr. BarberThe measures necessary for the control of imported food and of any commodities likely to be a source of infection, for the prevention of the sale of unfit food, for the maintenance of proper hygienic standards in handling food and for general standards of sanitation in their area, are carried out under statute by the local authorities. Detailed information on the action taken by these authorities is not collated centrally, but I am satisfied that the surveillance they18W exercise constitutes the best practicable safeguard of the public health.
§ Mr. Hector Hughesasked the Minister of Health if he will state the extent and nature of his supervision of the canning, packing and storage of food imported from abroad into Great Britain for human consumption, indicating the qualifications of the examiners employed for those purposes.
§ Mr. BarberMy right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food through his veterinary officers satisfies himself about standards of inspection, and hygiene in the preparation and packing before recognising an official certificate for imported meat or meat products. There are no similar arrangements for other food. Imported food and food stores are subject to inspection by the appropriate local authority.