HC Deb 02 December 1937 vol 329 cc2254-5
80. Sir Richard Meller

asked the Minister of Health whether, as the result of his inquiries, he can give an assurance that the watercress beds in the Mitcham district are free from pollution and that the watercress obtained from these beds is fit for human consumption?

87. Mr. Donner

asked the Minister of Health whether, in order to allay public fear of typhoid infection which has brought the sale of watercress to a standstill, thereby threatening the whole industry with ruin, he will approach the British Broadcasting Corporation and the public Press with a request that publicity should be given to the fact that there is no danger from eating watercress grown in Hampshire or other areas remote from Croydon, and that such bundles of watercress frequently bear a label indicating the place of origin?

89. Major-General Sir Alfred Knox

asked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that the fear that the epidemic of typhoid might have been caused by the eating of watercress has caused serious loss to the growers of cress; and whether he can make a public statement to put matters right?

Sir K. Wood

I am aware of the statements on this matter which have been current, and I am in communication with the local authority regarding the watercress beds referred to by my hon. Friend the Member for Mitcham (Sir R. Meller). I can assure my hon. Friends that as I stated in the answer which I gave to my hon. Friend the Member for Basingstoke (Mr. Donner) on 29th November, I have no evidence to suggest any connection between the present outbreak of typhoid and the eating of watercress. I have no doubt that, in view of the widespread public interest which has been aroused, what I have said will receive full publicity.

Sir A. Knox

As the right hon. Gentleman's last reply only appeared in the OFFICIAL REPORT and did not get into the Press, cannot the right hon. Gentleman make a further communication to the Press? Surely he can ask the British Broadcasting Corporation to broadcast a message contradicting the very mischievous message they gave to the effect that infection came from watercress?

Sir K. Wood

Perhaps I might be permitted to write an article on the subject.

Mr. Benjamin Smith

Can the right hon. Gentleman assure the public that all the water in the area will be scientifically tested?

Mr. De la Bère

What did the B.B.C. say on 7th May?

Mr. Thorne

On a point of Order. In consequence of the statements made by the hon. Member for Evesham (Mr. De la Bère) about what happened on 7th May, cannot somebody on the Front Bench tell us what did happen on 7th May?