HC Deb 08 March 1945 vol 408 cc2202-3
43. Mr. W. J. Brown

asked the Minister of Health what steps he is taking to ensure that expectant and nursing mothers may be able to secure supplies of natural unpasteurised milk.

The Minister of Health (Mr. Willink)

I should not be prepared to take any such action. It is not practicable at present to supply safe milk except by pasteurisation and by handling it throughout with strict hygienic precautions.

Mr. Brown

Is the Minister aware that quite eminent medical authorities regard pasteurisation as devitalisation? If people want unpasteurised milk, should they not be free to get it?

Mr. Willink

It is not a question of whether they should be free to get it. I could not, on a supplementary question, enter into this controversial matter of the value of pasteurisation.

Dr. Edith Summerskill

Is the right hon. and learned Gentleman aware that the statement of the hon. Member for Rugby (Mr. W. J. Brown) does not accord with scientific facts?