51. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is 673 aware that 372 samples of graded milk sold in Newcastle-upon-Tyne during 1940 showed a percentage of 92.4 as satisfactory, and during the same period 726 samples of undesignated milk and 46 samples of accommodation milk showed only 69.56 and 56.52, respectively, satisfactory, and, as these last named qualities due to excrement and pathogenic organisms are dangerous to the public health, are steps being taken by improved supervision of the farms concerned and adequate veterinary inspection to remedy this situation?
Mr. HudsonA statement of the results of the examination of the milk referred to has been received by my right hon. Friend, the Minister of Health. The supervision of the cleanliness of dairy farms is a matter for the local authority as regards both designated and undesignated milk. The veterinary inspection of dairy cows by my officers is being continued as in peace time, and in this connection I would add that so far as tuberculosis is concerned the number of positive milk samples reported from Newcastle-upon-Tyne in 1940 was very small.
Mr. AdamsIs the Minister aware that there are many farms in the country which have been grossly neglected by their owners and where there have been no veterinary inspection for months? Will he take action?