View report page

138
I suggested that similar provision should be made in respect of all
places as well as factories where food is prepared.
The Public Health and Housing Committee considered the resolution
of the Metropolitan Branch of the Incorporated Society of Medical Officers,
proposing legislation for the better protection of the public in regard to
tinned and preserved foods, and recommended that communications be
addressed to the Local Government Board, the Board of Agriculture and
the London County Council urging legislation as suggested; also proposing
that the Local Sanitary Authority should have the same right of entry
and of institution of legal proceedings in respect of factories where food is
prepared, as possessed by Factory Inspectors under the Factory and Workshops
Act of 1901; that such provisions should be extended to places
where food is prepared other than factories: and that other Metropolitan
Borough Councils be asked to take similar action.
The Westminster City Council had before them a Report of their
Public Health Committee, respecting the liability of the wholesale vendor
of a tuberculous carcase of a pig recently seized by one of their Sanitary
Inspectors.
It was originally intended to institute proceedings against the
wholesale dealer, inasmuch as the carcase was seized on the morning of
the day following that on which it was received from him by the retailer.
The Committee were, however, advised that many difficulties might arise
in obtaining a conviction against the wholesale dealer. For instance, it
would be necessary to issue a summons at the Guildhall, the premises of
the wholesale dealer being situate in Smithfield Market; and it would be
a good defence for the wholesale dealer if he could prove that at the time
he sold the carcase he did not know, and had no reason to believe, it was
diseased. Furthermore, summonses recently taken out by one of the
Metropolitan Borough Councils under similar circumstances failed at the
Guildhall.
The City Council, after due consideration of all the circumstances,
came to the conclusion that in such a case as the one in question facilities
should be afforded for proceedings against the wholesale dealer, and
resolved to ask the Local Government Board to consider the advisability
of the law relating to unsound food being amended in such a way as would
make the wholesale dealer responsible for the sale of unsound food by
himself or his servant.
The Local Government Board had been communicated with accordingly,
and the Town Clerk of the City of Westminster was directed