Major Millsasked the Minister of Food whether he will take steps to ensure that only meat fit for human consumption is sent out from Government-controlled slaughterhouses; whether he will satisfy himself that the methods of handling the meat in the course of its distribution to retail shops are reasonably cleanly; whether his attention has been called to a particular case of the supply of meat considered unfit for 1831W human consumption to a firm of butchers at Fording bridge, Hants; and what steps he proposes to take to prevent such occurrences in future?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe co-operation of the local authorities, whose duty it is to ensure the healthy state of meat available for human food, has been encouraged and I am satisfied that the methods of handling the meat in the course of its distribution to retail shops are reasonably satisfactory. As regards the third part of the Question my attention has been directed to the case at1832W Fording bridge, where a small quantity of meat was condemned by the local sanitary authority as being unfit for human consumption. As regards the last part of the Question, it should be explained that even in peace time condemnations of meat occur and it is then as now the duty of the local authorities to see that meat unfit for human consumption does not pass into consumption. I am watching the position closely and shall take such action as appears necessary in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland.