HC Deb 15 June 1964 vol 696 cc133-4W
60. Mr. K. Robinson

asked the Minister of Health if he will indicate the time and place of those outbreaks of typhoid in 1963 which have been attributed to contaminated corned beef; how much corned beef in weight and value was withdrawn from distribution in consequence; over what period withdrawal took place; how such stocks were disposed of; what compensation was paid; and to whom it was paid.

Mr. Barber

May in Harlow, June in South Shields, October in Bedford. Over a period of a fortnight about 121 tons, value about £51,000, were withdrawn from the market by the distributors. The question of compensation did not arise.

Sir Richard Glyn

asked the Minister of Health how many outbreaks of typhoid fever in the United Kingdom in the last live years have been proved to be caused by corned beef; and how many individual tins of corned beef were involved altogether.

Mr. Barber

Cumulative circumstantial evidence points to corned beef as the source of infection in three outbreaks: three cans appear to have been involved.