§ 33. Mr. SMITHERSasked the Minister of Health whether he will inform the House of the progress that is being made to ensure that milk supplied to the public shall be free from tuberculosis; has he consulted members of the medical and veterinary professions; what other inquiries has he made; and will he state briefly the present position and what further action he proposes to take?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI understand that an increasing number of local authorities are carrying out regular veterinary inspections of cattle and having samples of milk tested for tubercle bacillus, with 3077 a view to the exercise of their powers under the Milk and Dairies Act. I am not proposing to introduce any further legislation on this subject at the present time, but I am in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, with a view to the issue of a circular to local authorities indicating the further steps which they might advantageously take under existing powers. For this purpose I shall, of course, have regard to the views of the medical and veterinary advisers of the two Departments, as well as those of other members of the two professions who have communicated with my right hon. Friend and myself.
§ Mr. SMITHERSIn view of the national importance of getting the milk supply free from tuberculosis, especially for the children in school, will the right hon. Gentleman take what steps he can to speed up this inquiry, and to ensure that the milk supplied should, as far as possible, be free from tuberculosis?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI hope the circular will be issued to local authorities very shortly.