§ 31. Mr. Ridleyasked the Minister of Agriculture what Treasury payments have been made to cattle owners for the purpose of eradicating tuberculosis under Part IV of the Agriculture Act, 1937?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonDuring the period of three months following the date on which Part IV of the Agriculture Act, 1937, came into operation, namely, 1st April, 1938, payments totalling £4,085 were made out of the Diseases of Animals Account to cattle owners in respect of assistance under the Tuberculosis (Attested Herds) Schemes towards the cost of tuberculin tests with a view to eradicating tuberculosis from the herds concerned. The milk bonus of one penny per gallon payable under the schemes to owners of attested herds is paid by the appropriate milk marketing board, which 902 subsequently recovers from the Ministry the amounts paid. No claims for the recovery of bonus paid in respect of the months of April, May and June have yet been made by the boards, but it is estimated that the amount to be claimed will be about £40,000.