§ 35. Mr. KIRKWOODasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that the veterinary inspector of Glasgow, in a report to the Markets Committee, states that no less than 14.5 per cent. of milk 1355 samples tested by him contained virulent tubercle bacilli, that many infected cows are sent, to the city market for sale, and that nearly 9,000 bovine consumptives remain undetected in Scotland; and what measures are to be adopted to ensure greater efficiency in working the Tuberculosis Order of 1925 pending the institution of national control of milk supervision?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Major Elliot)I have seen the report to which the hon. Member refers, and understand that the Department of Health for Scotland hope to publish shortly the results of a recent investigation on this subject carried out in the four large cities of Scotland. A Committee of the Economic Advisory Council is now considering what practical measures can be taken to reduce the incidence of tuberculosis (as well as of other diseases) among mulch cattle in this country, including any changes desirable in existing administrative practice; and the hon. Member may rest assured that the recommendations of that Committee upon this difficult question will receive the most careful consideration.