§ 90. Mr. BROADasked the Minister of Health what communications passed between his Department and the British Dairy Farmers' Association prior to the issue of his circular prohibiting the exhibition of tuberculin-tested cattle at shows?
§ Mr. GREENWOODMy Department wrote to this Association on 19th November, 1928, saying that it had been brought to their notice that animals from licensed herds were exhibited at the Islington Dairy Show and that the condition as to separation from other cattle was not complied with. The letter said that the Department would be very re- 2098 luctant to withdraw permission for the exhibition of such animals at the Show and represented strongly that proper arrangements for separation should be made in future. After a reminder had been sent and acknowledged, the Association replied on 22nd August, 1929, saying that a committee had considered three possible courses for meeting the Ministry's requirements but had not adopted any of them. A conference was then arranged for 16th September, 1929, between representatives of the Association (including the Secretary) and officers of my Department and the Ministry of Agriculture. Various suggestions were discussed but not adopted, and it was made clear that the Association did not feel themselves able to comply with the Ministry's requirements. After further discussion with the Producers' Association and the Ministry of Agriculture, I wrote to the British Dairy Farmers' Association on 16th February communicating my decision and enclosing a copy of the circular.
§ Sir JOSEPH LAMBIf it is undesirable that cattle of this description should be allowed to be sent to shows, is it not also a danger for the cattle if people suffering from this disease attend, and will the right hon. Gentleman have them all examined on entrance?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe point at issue is whether I made a true statement last Thursday or not, and the major question does not arise on this.