HC Deb 09 June 1942 vol 380 cc926-7
77. Mr. David Adams

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food whether it is now decided that all milk for human consumption passing through milk depots will be pasteurised before being supplied to the public; is it intended to pasteurise all designated grades of milk below T.T. standard, as from records of medical officers of health much dangerous and unsatisfactory milk is being delivered under other designations; and whether milk delivered direct from producers to wholesalers will be pasteurised also?

The Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (Major Lloyd George)

As stated in Paragraph 6 (F) of the Memorandum on Milk Policy which was presented last week, milk which passes through depots will, so far as possible, be pasteurised before it leaves the depot or be brine cooled and delivered to a whole- saler or retailer who can pasteurise the milk before supplying it to the public. As regards the second and third parts of the Question, pasteurisation will be arranged to the maximum extent compatible with the need for economy in transport.

Mr. Adams

Have not the Government declared themselves for years past in favour of pasteurising all milk in the interests of public health? Cannot this now be achieved totally for the whole country?

Major Lloyd George

Practically all the milk going to depots is pasteurised. The difficulty arises with the small producer-retailer who sells direct. Every possible effort is made to pasteurise it, but some of the small people have not the machinery, and, with the movement of milk controlled as it is, it is very difficult in war-time. But in the case of milk going to the depots practically 100 per cent. is pasteurised.

Viscountess Astor

Would it not be wise to pasteurise all Grade A milk?

Dr. Edith Summerskill

Does not the right hon. and gallant Gentleman think it would be in the interests of the country to prohibit the sale of any unpasteurised milk?

Mrs. Tate

As many people loathe pasteurised milk, can we not have a free choice in the matter?

Mr. Woods

Is it not the case that a good deal of milk at present is wasted because it is not pasteurised, and would it not be a great economy if there could be a further extension of pasteurisation in spite of the difficulties in the way?