HC Deb 03 June 1949 vol 465 cc195-6W
Mr. Burden

asked the Minister of Food whether he has any statement to make concerning the review of the system of meat inspection.

Mr. Strachey

Yes; I have decided, in consultation with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland, the Minister of Health and the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, to appoint an interdepartmental committee to consider the present arrangements in England and Wales and in Scotland for the inspection of home-killed meat and the certification of imported meat and to make recommendations for their improvement.

The terms of the minute of appointment are as follow:

INTERDEPARTMENTAL COMMITTEE ON MEAT INSPECTION

Terms of Reference and Constitution of Committee

I hereby appoint:

  • G. R. Oake, Esq.,
  • H. R. Barnell, Esq., Ph.D., M.A., B.Sc.,
  • P. N. R. Butcher, Esq.,
  • J. Cameron, Esq., B.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., D.V.S.M.,
  • L. B. A. Grace, Esq., M.R.C.V.S., D.V.S.M.,
  • R. Howat, Esq.,
  • W. A. Lethem, Esq., M.D., D.P.H., D.T.M.,
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  • W. J. M. Menzies, Esq.,
  • E. L. Sturdee, Esq., O.B.E., M.R.C.S., L. R.C.P.,
  • H. D. Vigor, Esq., O.B.E.,
to be Committee—
  1. (i) to review the memorandum on a system of meat inspection known as Memo 62/Foods,
  2. (ii) To consider whether Memo 62/Foods, revised as necessary, should be given statutory authority in new Food Regulations superseding the Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924–48, for England and Wales and corresponding legislation for Scotland,
  3. (iii) to consider whether inspection of home-killed meat at the place of slaughter can be made compulsory in England and Wales as it already is in Scotland, and whether this requires any further statutory authority,
  4. (iv) to consider whether the Public Health (Meat) Regulations, 1924–48, require revision in any other respects,
  5. (v) to consider the qualifications of those at present engaged in meat inspection and the qualifications which should be required of those so engaged and the facilities for their training,
  6. (vi) to consider the existing requirements, and methods of operation, as regards imported meat under the Public Health (Imported Food) Regulations, 1937–48,
and to make recommendations to the Minister of Food, the Minister of Health and the Secretary of State for Scotland.

I further appoint G. R. Oake, Esq., to be Chairman and W. J. B. Hopkinson, Esq., to be Secretary to the said Committee.

(Signed) John Strachey,

Minister of Food.

31st May, 1949.