HC Deb 16 May 1911 vol 25 cc1815-7
Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to cases in which an appeal to the cow has not been allowed before any farmer has been convicted and fined on the ground that the percentage of butterfat in his milk has been proved to be below the 3 per cent. standard; and whether he will take steps to secure that no farmer shall suffer from a refusal to be allowed to appeal to such a test?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir Edward Strachey)

Yes, sir, but the Board have no power to compel local authorities to adopt this practice.

Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

Will the hon. Gentleman take care that no legislation affecting British dairymen shall be of such a character as to benefit the foreign producer?

Sir E. STRACHEY

I will bring the desire of the hon. Member before the President of the Board of Agriculture.

Viscount HELMSLEY

What steps do the Board of Agriculture mean to take to remedy this position which is admitted on all hands to be unfair?

Sir E. STRACHEY

I am about to answer a question on that point.

Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

asked whether legislation will be introduced to provide that no fine shall be inflicted on a farmer for selling milk below the 3 per cent. standard where the quality of the milk as offered for sale is identical with its quality as it comes from the cow?

Sir E. STRACHEY

This reply answers the question the Noble Lord has just asked. This, with other matters connected with this question, are under the consideration of the Board of Agriculture.

Mr. MEYSEY-THOMPSON

May I ask whether, in cases where an appeal to the cow is made, no fine shall be inflicted upon a farmer where the milk sold is believed to be still in the state in which it was taken from the cow?

Sir E. STRACHEY

I have already informed the hon. Member that the Board of Agriculture have no power to compel the authorities to adopt the practice which he desires, and I have also informed him that the whole of these questions and their treatment by legislation, or otherwise, is under the consideration of the President of the Board.

Viscount HELMSLEY

Will the hon. Baronet circularise local authorities, pointing out to them the hardships which may be imposed on farmers unless they are reasonable in the matter?

Sir E STRACHEY

A circular of that kind was issued by Mr. Hanbury, when he was President of the Board of Agriculture.

Mr. HUNT

Will the hon. Baronet promise that no farmer shall be fined who is willing to allow his cows to be tested?

Sir E. STRACHEY

I have no power to make that promise.

Several hon. Members rose to put further questions.

Mr SPEAKER

Supplementary questions must not be abused.

Mr. STANIER

asked whether the Board of Agriculture could see their way to have an inquiry into the question of the legal three per cent. basis of butter-fat as to whether or no this is a fair basis on which to standardise the purity of milk?

Sir E. STRACHEY

The Board are considering whether it would be desirable to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member.