51. Mr. PERKINSasked the Minister of Health whether he will take steps to encourage the sale of fresh English milk in this country by restricting the sale of tinned milk, marked unfit for babies, on the grounds of health?
§ Mr. GREENWOODThe tinned milk marked "unfit for babies" is so marked because it is lacking in milk fat which 610 is essential for babies. I am advised that it is not otherwise objectionable on grounds of health and I could not therefore take any special steps to restrict its sale.
§ Mr. R. RICHARDSONIs he also aware that a large number of people because of their inadequate wages cannot afford to buy it?
§ 56. Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Health if he will give figures to show the progress of the graded-milk movement during the past few years; if he is satisfied with this progress; and, if not, what further means he proposes to encourage public confidence in the purity of milk supplies?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI will circulate in the OFFICIAL REPORT figures showing the numbers of producers of Certified, Grade A (Tuberculin Tested), and Grade A milk in England and Wales in each of the last five years. The figures show that there has been a steady increase in each grade but that the number of producers of graded milk is still very small compared with the total number of milk producers in the country. I am considering the last part of the question in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
§ Lieut.-Commander KENWORTHYDoes the right hon. Gentleman set an example himself?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI do.
§ Following are the figures:
| MILK. (SPECLAL DESINATIONS) ORDER, 1923. | |||
| Producers Licences (England und Wales). | |||
| Date | Certified. | Grade A (T. T.). | Grade A. |
| 31st March, 1927 | 121 | 150 | 266 |
| 31st March, 1928 | 141 | 188 | 361 |
| 31st March, 1929 | 150 | 217 | 462 |
| 31st March, 1930 | 159 | 224 | 524 |
| 31st March, 1931 | 174 | 238 | 582 |