HC Deb 26 February 1935 vol 298 cc943-4
60. Mr. GLOSSOP

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that under the administration of the Milk and Dairies (Consolidation) Act, 1915, and the Tuberculosis Order, 1925, the West Riding County Council employ nine whole-time veterinary officers, Cheshire six, Derbyshire two, Staffordshire none, and Lancashire none; and whether he can state the reason for such varied administration, in view of the fact that these counties are all adjacent and form the North-West Region of the Milk Marketing Board?

The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of HEALTH (Mr. Shakespeare)

Except that a staff of whole-time veterinary officers has, my right hon. Friend is informed, now been appointed by the Staffordshire County Council, the facts stated by my hon. Friend are generally correct so far as they go, but they are misleading because in some counties, for example Derbyshire and Lancashire, part-time veterinary officers are employed either exclusively or in addition to the whole-time staff. As regards the second part of the question, veterinary inspection of cattle is compulsory only in certain cases. Routine inspection is optional and not all county councils undertake it. My hon. Friend will be aware that this is one of the matters dealt with in the report of the Committee on Cattle Diseases which is at present receiving consideration.

Mr. GLOSSOP

Will my hon. Friend tell me when some decision will be reached by the Diseases of Cattle Committee; and may I ask whether he is aware of the very great hardship suffered by farmers in the West Riding owing to the severe operation of the regulations there as compared with other counties?

Sir JOSEPH LAMB

Could the hon. Member who put the question say where he obtained his information that Staffordshire was an exception?

Mr. SHAKESPEARE

I pointed out in the answer that that was incorrect. As regards the supplementary question put by the hon. Member, I agree that the position is not satisfactory, but I cannot promise any date by which a report can be made.

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

Are we to assume that the cattle of Lancashire are healthier than those of Derbyshire and Cheshire?

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