73. Brigadier-General BROWNasked the Minister of Health whether his attention has been drawn to the uncertainties of the intradermal test on cattle for tuberculosis; and if, in view of its unreliability, he will take steps to standardise the tuberculin on the market so that all tests can be carried out with the same serum?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Miss Lawrence)My right hon. Friend is advised that the intradermal test is the best form of the tuberculin test under ordinary farm conditions, but that the results obtained cannot be relied on unless tuberculin of sufficient potency is used. My right hon. Friend is considering the question of the standardisation of tuberculin in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
§ Mr. SMITHERSWill the hon. Lady say who are the advisers to the Ministry of Health and whether representatives of veterinary surgeons have been consulted?
§ Miss LAWRENCEI think I can say that we are in command of the best advice.
§ Sir ARTHUR STEEL-MAITLANDMay I ask who, in the opinion of the Ministry of Health, is competent to give the best medical advice?
§ Miss LAWRENCEI think it would be invidious to pick out for special mention the name of any person.