§ 74. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Under-Secretary of State for 442 India the approximate number of cows in India; how the proportion of cows and the milk consumption per head of population in India compares with that in Great Britain; and what steps are being taken at the present time to encourage the importation into India of high-class breeding stock to raise the standard of cattle in that country?
§ Commander Sir Archibald Southby (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. According to the latest figures available, the number of cows in British India is about 37,000,000. As regards milk consumption and cattle breeding in India I would refer to the information given on pages 211 to 256 of the report of the Royal Commission on Agriculture in India. The Government Military dairy farms endeavour to improve the quality of their herds by the importation of special breeding stock. Any questions my hon. Friend may wish to ask in regard to the number of cows and the rate of milk consumption in this country should be addressed to my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries.
§ Sir T. MooreWill my hon. and gallant Friend convey to the Under-Secretary the fact that Ayrshire cattle have secured all the highest awards?
Viscountess AstorWill the hon. and gallant Gentleman find out how many of these cows are tubercular and really a danger to health?