§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Health the terms of the Clauses in the Foreign Meat Regulations dealing with the disease of caseous lymphadenitis in imported mutton, and the instructions to inspectors of meat and food when carcases are found to be infected; and whether the whole carcase or only the affected parts have to be destroyed?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe effect of Articles 7, 8 and 9 of the Public Health (Imported Food) Regulations is that the Medical Officer of Health of a port or riparian sanitary authority may examine imported meat and apply to a justice to order its condemnation if he is of opinion that it is diseased or unsound or unwholesome or unfit for human consumption. A memorandum issued by my Department as to the criteria to be adopted in the inspection of meat recommends the condemnation of the entire carcase and 2483W all the organs if evidence of caseous lymphadenitis is found. I am sending the hon. Member copies of the regulations and the memorandum referred to.
§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that during the months of August and September last approximately 70,000 Chilean sheep originally intended for the London market, and which were known to be affected with the disease of caseous lymphadenitis, were diverted into the port of Liverpool owing to the unsatisfactory system of meat inspection in that port; that, in consequence of the landing of this consignment of sheep, thousands of joints of mutton were sold to the public of Lancashire and Cheshire; and whether, in view of the magistrate at Marylebone Police Court severely censuring the local food inspector on 4th January last for permitting the sale of such diseased mutton, he will hold an inquiry into this matter?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI have no information as to the facts stated in the first part of the question, but I am aware
— Number of persons in receipt of Total. Institutional relief (including casuals but excluding lunatics in county and borough asylums). Domiciliary relief (excluding persons in receipt of medical relief only). 1. Parish of Devonport … … 245 1,917 2,162 2. Parish of Plymouth … … 668 2,675 3,343