§ Mr. GOLDMANasked whether the Government proposes to introduce the Dairies Bill this Session as a first-class measure?
§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he intends this Session to introduce a Bill rendering uniform throughout the country the regulations and by-laws governing the production and distribution of milk; if so, when does he propose to introduce such a measure; and whether effective provision will be made in it against dirt or disease being introduced into milk-churns and against cream being withdrawn from them by rough handling of the churns or otherwise in transit between the premises of the producer of the milk and its distributer, to the detriment or penalisation of the former?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Edward Strachey)I have been asked by my right hon. Friend to answer this question. I am not aware of any case in which a farmer has been subjected to a penalty owing to the spilling of cream from the surface of milk in course of transit by rail. I shall be glad, however, to inquire into any specific case which may have been brought to the notice of the hon. Member.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs not the hon. Baronet aware that farmers are frequently convicted owing to the insufficiency of butter fat in milk, removed by the causes mentioned in the question.
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI have already told the hon. Member that I am not aware of any cases where this has been alleged on the part of the farmer. I shall only be too glad to inquire. I myself have sent thousands of gallons of milk by rail.
§ Mr. ADKINSMay I ask for an answer to the first part of the question, whether a Bill will be introduced this Session or not?
§ Mr. BURNSI may refer the hon. Member to the reply I have just given to the hon. Member for Penryn and Falmouth (Mr. Goldman). I am not in a position to make any announcement on the subject.