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56
By the passing of these Regulations, it was anticipated that
it would be possible to cause retailers of meat to protect it
from contamination by means of the provision of glass
windows.
For this purpose, I arranged a meeting with the representatives
of the Meat Retailers' Association.
It was felt that, apart from the cost, the protection of the
meat in shops by means of the provision of windows, was one
of the first steps to be taken under the Regulations. At the
same time it was realised that difficulties would be met with
in the case of the stalls in the Borough, and one felt that
nothing should be done which would be likely to cause an
increase in the price of meat sold at these establishments or
to place restrictions upon the stallholders which might be the
means of their being unable to carry on their business.
However, the Minister of Health issued Circular No. 604
in June, following the receipt of a large number of communications
both from local authorities and others, as to the
proper interpretation of the statutory provisions of the Public
Health (Meat) Regulations.
The Minister pointed out that the legal interpretation of
the Regulations could only be decided by the Courts, but he
thought that it might be useful to set out for the information
of local authorities, the intention of the Ministry and the
construction, which, as he was advised, could properly be
given to the provisions in question.
Article 2 (1) (Definition of Meat).—The Minister's intention
in making the Regulations was that, apart from the special
case of bacon and ham, they should apply to what is
ordinarily known as butcher's meat, that is to say the raw
and untreated edible parts of the carcases of slaughtered
cattle, swine, sheep and goats. Questions have been raised
whether the Regulations apply to rabbits, poultry, fish, butter,
margarine and cheese. It is clear that the definition of meat
would not include these articles, and the Minister thinks that
local authorities might also properly treat cooked meat, lard,
sausages and other preparations of or containing meat as
outside the scope of the Regulations.
Article 20 (5) (a).—It was not contemplated that this provision
should be construed as requiring all butchers' shops
to be provided with glass fronts, and the precautions which
it may be reasonable to require under this provision must
depend on the circumstances of individual cases. It seems
to the Minister that in its enforcement the corresponding
provisions of Article 19 (5) and (d) should be borne in mind