§ Mr. Pavittasked the Secretary of State for Social Services if he will take steps to prevent typhoid and dysentery from the eating of raw shellfish from coastal areas where untreated sewage is pumped into the sea.
§ Mr. AlisonNo such action is required, as harvesting of shellfish is already controlled under the Public Health (Shellfish) Regulations, 1934 (Statutory Instrument 1934, No. 1342). If local authorities are satisfied that the consumption of shellfish from a particular laying is likely to cause danger to the public health, they have full powers to prohibit the distribution for sale for human consumption of shellfish from the laying, either absolutely or subject to cleansing, relaying in clean water or sterilisation. Incidents of disease caused by eating shellfish are rare.