§ Mr. Taverneasked the Minister of Health how many cases of paratyphoid have been diagnosed in England since the beginning of 1963; to what degree these cases have been linked; what were the sources of these cases; whether other outbreaks in previous years have been traced to similar sources; when they were so traced; and what action has been taken or is now proposed to prevent similar outbreaks in the future.
§ Mr. Powell115 cases were notified in England and Wales up to 20th April; 55 of these occurred in three outbreaks associated with the use of Chinese egg100W products in bakeries. Other outbreaks were traced to similar sources in 1954, 1955, 1956 and 1961. Sampling of imported egg products has been in force since 1956. A satisfactory method of pasteurising whole egg in hulk has now been developed, and I am considering with my right hon. Friends the Secretary of State for Scotland and the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food steps to ensure that all whole egg in bulk is pasteurised before use.