HC Deb 01 November 1934 vol 293 cc337-8
53. Mr. LAMBERT

asked the Minister of Health whether he will cause investigation to be made into the health of the animals producing the milk and into the cleanliness of the manufacture of the milk products imported from foreign countries?

Sir H. YOUNG

I do not consider that such an investigation is needed at the present time. The interests of public health are protected by the facts that imported milk is subject to special bacteriological conditions which do not apply to home produced milk and that all milk products are subject to examination at the port of entry to ensure that they are fit for human consumption.

Mr. LAMBERT

Can milk drawn from a diseased cow and made up into butter in a dirty condition be considered to be fit for human consumption?

Sir H. YOUNG

That inquiry begs the question. The state of affairs is that we have a very effective safeguard in the inspections to which I have referred at the port of entry.

Mr. LAMBERT

But does the inspection of my right hon. Friend enable him to detect whether the milk comes from diseased cows?

Sir H. YOUNG

There is a very substantial measure of practical control.