§ 32. Mr. MARCUSasked the Secretary of State for Scotland the number of children under the age of seven years who died of infantile paralysis during the year 1929; and whether, seeing that the high infantile mortality is largely due to 263 the drinking of impure milk, he will say what steps he proposes to take to ensure a pure milk supply?
§ Mr. JOHNSTONDuring the year 1929, nine children under the age of seven years died of infantile paralysis in Scotland. As regards the second part of the question, my right hon. Friend is advised that the high death rate among infants is due in the main to causes that cannot be attributed to impure milk. He fully recognises, however, how important a pure milk supply is to the health of children and of the community generally and I can assure my hon. Friend that the matter is one which is receiving the close attention of the Departments concerned. I am sending him a copy of a circular that the Department of Health for Scotland issued recently on this and other aspects of food administration.
§ Major COLFOXIs the hon. Member aware that any quantity of milk of any standard of purity required could be provided if the consumers were prepared to pay the extra cost entailed upon the producers?