§ Mr. Arthur Lewisasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what estimate he has made of the number of tins of American salmon held by wholesalers in Great 164W Britain that may be contaminated with botulism; and what steps he has taken to protect the public from purchasing this salmon.
§ Mr. Kenneth ClarkeOver 10 million ½lb. cans of United States of America salmon have either been held back from distribution in this country, or returned by the public or by retailers, following the issue by the Department of a public warning on 16 February. The risk that some of these cans may be contaminated is slight but cannot be ignored.
In the light of measures being taken in the United States of America, close consultation is continuing with trade interests in this country with a view to working out agreed measures to ensure that stocks released for sale will have been thoroughly checked. Until such measures have been agreed upon and implemented, the United Kingdom trade will continue to withhold ½lb. cans from sale.