64. Mr. Johnstonasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he can explain why 31 out of 56 test samples of milk examined during the year 1938 in the county of Aberdeen were found to be adulterated or not up to standard; whether this is the worst county ratio for Scotland; why it compares so badly with the samples tested in the city of Aberdeen, where less than 10 per cent. were found to be adulterated or not up to standard; and whether any and, if so, how many, prosecutions took place during the year in the county of Aberdeen for the offence of selling adulterated or under-standard milk?
§ Mr. ColvilleIt is the practice in Aberdeen County to take test samples with the object of securing improvement in the quality of the milk from byres where formal samples, already taken for the purposes of the Food and Drugs Acts, have been found to be under standard. In these circumstances, a high proportion of samples not up to standard is to be expected, and the figures do not provide a basis for valid comparison with other areas. With regard to the last part of the question, seven prosecutions were carried through in the county of Aberdeen during 1938.
Mr. JohnstonCan the right hon. Gentleman say why only seven prosecutions finally resulted, after 31 tests from the samples were found to be bad?
§ Mr. ColvilleI will look into the matter, but I imagine that all the samples did not actually justify prosecution.