§ 38. Brigadier-General CLIFTON BROWNasked the Minister of Health how many samples of fresh liquid milk were taken during the last three months by the port sanitary authorities of London, Harwich, and Newhaven, respectively; and whether any of these liquid milk imports were rejected for not being up to standard requirements in cleanliness and butter fat?
Sir H. YOUNGThe answer to the first part of the question is eight, 49 and 13 respectively. Three samples taken at Harwich and seven taken at Newhaven failed to comply with the bacterial standard laid down, and the importation of milk from the sources of supply of these samples has been discontinued. Ninety-three samples taken at the ports in question were examined by the Government Chemist, and none was reported as deficient in butter fat.
§ 40. Mr. GLOSSOPasked the Minister of Health the number of prosecutions that have taken place in England during 1929, 1930, and 1931 in connection with milk deficient in fat, together with the number of convictions obtained?
42. Brigadier-General BROWNasked the Minister of Health how many prosecutions for too low a percentage of butter fat under the Milk Adulteration Order came before the courts in 1931; and in how many of these cases were convictions obtained?
Sir H. YOUNGI regret that I am unable to give all the information asked for, but in 1931 there were 98 prosecutions for the sale of adulterated milk in London, and convictions were obtained in 51 cases, two being still outstanding. The total number of samples of milk reported as adulterated in England and Wales is roughly 15 times the number so reported in London.
§ Mr. GLOSSOPDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that those figures show a very unsatisfactory state of the law with regard to the milk prosecutions at the present time, and will he not consider introducing legislation in order to have the law amended?
Sir H. YOUNGNo, Sir. I should say that on the whole the figures indicated rather that there was a very efficient administration of the law.
§ Mr. GLOSSOPDoes not the right hon. Gentleman consider that the very large percentage of prosecutions which failed to secure conviction means almost the permanent branding of those farmers who have been wrongfully accused of watering their milk.
§ Mr. McENTEEAs the Minister stated in reply to Question No. 38 that there were no adulterations in respect of the importations of milk, and that five samples—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Gentleman cannot go back to Question No. 38.
§ Mr. T. WILLIAMSMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether, in view of the reply given to Question No. 38, namely, that none of the imported milk was deficient in fat, there is not room for a great deal of improvement, since so many convictions have been registered in this country?
Brigadier-General BROWNDoes not this show that the officials of the Ministry of Health are not doing their duty at the ports in inspecting foreign milk?
Sir H. YOUNGI cannot really accept any of those implications upon the facts given. The facts which have been given appear to show a very efficient administration of the law.
§ 60. Lord SCONEasked the Minister of Health whether he will consider the advisability of reclassifying the various grades of milk produced in this country, and thus end the present position, in which the consumer is led to believe that Grade A milk is the highest class produced, whereas it is in reality only of third-class quality?
Sir H. YOUNGI will consider the matter in consultation with my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries. But any re-classification of 1808 graded milks on the lines suggested by my Noble Friend would require legislation, and I regret that at present I cannot contemplate the introduction of legislation on this subject.