§ 44. Mr. Leslieasked the Minister of Health whether he has considered a communication from the Sedgefield Rural District Council urging for legislation to settle a standard of bacteriological count for rinsings of churns, bottles, &c.; and what action he intends taking.
§ Mr. WillinkYes, Sir. Under the Milk and Dairies Order, 1926, persons who empty and return churns in which milk has been delivered to them are required to cause the churns to be thoroughly cleansed before they leave their custody or control; and producers and other dairymen are required to cause all vessels used for containing milk to be kept in a state of thorough cleanliness. A considerable amount of bacteriological testing and advisory assistance in relation to the cleansing of churns is now being given under the National Milk Testing and Advisory Scheme, but I think that it would be premature to prescribe statutory bacteriological standards at the present stage.
§ Mr. LeslieWill the Minister not agree that, in the interests of public health, this is a matter for attention?
§ Mr. WillinkIt is receiving attention, but it is not easy to lay down bacteriological standards for cleansing every bottle.
§ Sir H. WilliamsAre we to understand that the cleaners of bottles in future have to be bacteriologists, in order to count the number of bacteria?