§ 12. Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture if his Department has received a copy of the Report of the Geneva State veterinary surgeons recording the success, which they state to be beyond all hopes, of the Spahlinger tests now completed there with anti-tuberculosis vaccine on cattle; and whether he contemplates any further steps to estimate the value of these reported results?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)The Ministry's knowledge of the tests of M. Spahlinger's vaccine which have recently taken place in Switzerland is limited to accounts which are published in the Press. In 1924 a Committee was formed under the Chairmanship of Commander Bayley, R.N., which included prominent agriculturists, doctors and veterinary surgeons. I am informed that this Committee had complete plans for experimental trial of the vaccine, but was unable to obtain any vaccine from M. Spahlinger and therefore the matter dropped. I understand that the Committee is still in being, but I am 2540 unable to say whether it will be prepared again to undertake the trial of this vaccine.
§ Mr. GUINNESSI will inquire whether it is possible to draw their attention to the matter, but I am sure the hon. Member will understand that it is not easy to get this information seeing that the serum is a secret one.