HC Deb 22 July 1878 vol 241 cc2082-4

Clause 32 (Power for Privy Council to make orders relative to dairies, cow-sheds, and milk-shops).

SIR JAMES M'GAREL-HOGG moved, in page 16, after line 28, to insert the following sub-section;— (a.) For the registration with the local authority of all persons carrying on the trade of cow-keepers, dairymen, or purveyors of milk. He saw no reason why this should not be done the same as in the case of the sellers of petroleum, and other things, who were subject to the rules of the local authorities.

MR. ANDERSON

hoped the Government would consent to the proposed subsection.

Amendment agreed to.

SIR JAMES M'GAREL-HOGG moved to insert the following sub-section:—"For the isolation of any cattle newly purchased." It was frequently found that newly-purchased cattle brought disease with them; whereas, if they were isolated, it would prevent infection being spread.

SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON

did not think it would be necessary to insert the words proposed by the hon. and gallant Baronet, as the object he had in view was met by Sub-section 17.

SIR JAMES M'GAREL-HOGG

said, that being the case, he would withdraw his Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

MR. J. W. BARCLAY moved to insert, in page 16, line 29, after "for," the words "the inspection of cattle in dairies, and for."

Amendment agreed to.

MR. J. W. BARCLAY moved, in page 16, line 33, to insert before "milk-shops," the words "milk-stores."

Amendment agreed to.

MR. ANDERSON moved, in page 16, line 36, after the word "contamination," to insert "from typhoid fever as well as other disease." His Amendment, he said, was in the same direction as others which had already been admitted, although, perhaps, it went a little further. It was well known that a great deal of very dangerous typhoid fever was really caught from the contamination of milk. The Privy Council undoubtedly had the power to deal with typhoid fever under the Bill; and the best way to do so was to prevent the sale of contaminated milk, which was one of the most fruitful sources of the disease. It had been proved, as clearly as anything was capable of proof, that typhoid fever spread over a great part of a large town had sprung entirely from a dairy; and, therefore, he hoped his Amendment would be agreed to. If it was not, it would be almost necessary for the Government to introduce a special Bill to deal with dairies; but he trusted they would show themselves desirous of settling the matter without the necessity of separate legislation.

SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON

could not agree to the Amendment. He was quite aware that it had been asserted, and proved, that a form of typhoid fever had resulted from drinking milk which had been under certain conditions contaminated. But he believed the words of the clause as it stood were quite sufficient to enable the Privy Council to take means to prevent the sale of milk which was contaminated; and if they used those means, the results of consuming contaminated milk would not arise.

MR. LYON PLAYFAIR

said, he attached the greatest importance to the whole clause; but he did not think the words proposed to be inserted by the hon. Member for Glasgow would be of any advantage. For instance, scarlet fever and dyptheria resulted from drinking contaminated milk as much as typhoid fever; and therefore he could not see why one disease should be singled out to be dealt with.

MR. ANDERSON

said, his Amendment contained the words, "as well as other disease," and, therefore, it was not limited entirely to typhoid fever. However, after the expression of opinion of the right hon. Gentleman, he would withdraw his Amendment.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.