47. Mr. David Adamsasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food what steps are being taken to render fit for human consumption undesignated milk now being supplied for food by the Milk Marketing Board; and whether, pending such remedial action, he will prohibit the sale of this product in the interests of public health?
§ Mr. BoothbyDuring the past six years the percentage of undesignated milk has fallen from 95 to 52 of the total quantity of milk produced. Every effort is being made by the Milk Marketing Boards, with the financial assistance of the Government, to increase the production of designated milk. In addition, a proportion of undesignated milk is pasteurised before sale for liquid consumption. The proportion varies in different parts of the country. It would not be practicable to prohibit the sale of undesignated milk, since the supply of designated milk is not yet sufficient to meet the requirements of the liquid consumer.
Mr. AdamsIs the Minister aware that certain authorities are warning people against the use of this undesignated milk? Would it not be better for the Ministry to purify it before putting it on the market?
§ Mr. BoothbyThe best we can do is to take every practicable step to secure the purification of milk.