MR. CATHCART WASONI beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if he is aware that cattle dying of tuberculous and other diseases are often disposed for public sale in public yards; that, out of 2,967 carcases condemned in Glasgow as being diseased and unfit for food, not one was condemnel alive; and whether, in view of the danger to life, especially infant life, involved in the spread of disease by meat and milk, he will consider the question of scheduling tuberculosis as a contagious and infectious disease.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYRepresentations have from time to time been made to us to the effect indicated in the first part of the Question, and I believe that the figures cited by my hon. friend are correct. But the exposure for sale of an animal which is diseased or unfit for the food of man, is an offence under the Public Health Acts which falls to be dealt with by the central and local authorities under those Acts and not by the Board of Agriculture. We have, therefore, no official information on the subject. The suggestion that tuberculosis should be dealt with under the Diseases of Animals Acts has frequently been considered, but it has never hitherto been found feasible to give effect to it. My noble friend is, however, in communication with my right hon. friend, the President of the Local Government Board, on the subject.
MR. CATHCART WASONWill the right hon. Gentleman suggest to the Local Government Board that the police might well be employed in looking to this matter?