asked the Lord President of the Council what research has been carried out to ascertain whether Chinese liquid eggs imported into this country are hygienic foodstuffs; and, if not, whether he can arrange for further investigation to take place?

The answer to the first part of the question, in so far as the Medical Research Council are concerned, is in the negative. As regards the second part, I am informed that the matter is not of a kind which would come within the Council's sphere, except on representations from the appropriate administrative Department that there was need for special research work going beyond the scope of ordinary methods of examination. In this connection, I am informed by the Minister of Health that samples of frozen Chinese eggs have been examined in the laboratory of his Department and that no evidence was found of the presence of any pathogenic organisms.

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that nearly 1000,000,000 of these eggs came into British ports last year from China?

Has the right hon. Gentleman tried a diet of Chinese eggs?