§ 34. Lieut.-Commander Gurney Braithwaiteasked the Minister of Food how many prosecutions and convictions have resulted from visits by his enforcement officers to farms in the East Riding of Yorkshire since 1st January, 1948.
§ Dr. SummerskillUp to date, five prosecutions have taken place. Convictions were obtained in four cases, and one case was dismissed under the Probation of Offenders Act.
§ 35. Lieut.-Commander Braithwaiteasked the Minister of Food what provisions are made for disinfecting the feet of his enforcement officers following their inspections of farm premises.
§ Dr. SummerskillEnforcement inspectors carry disinfectant with them on their visits to farms, and use it where there is an outbreak of fowl pest or other disease.
§ Lieut.-Commander BraithwaiteIs the hon. Lady satisfied that this regulation is being strictly enforced, and can she say whether the necessary steps have been taken to inform the farmers of their rights in this matter?
§ Dr. SummerskillI have made very careful inquiries, and I find that the officers carry a bottle of Lysol or Jeyes.
§ Mr. GallacherWould it not be desirable for these enforcement officers to make these inspections in their bare feet and then to wash them afterwards?
§ 36. Lieut.-Commander Braithwaiteasked the Minister of Food how many enforcement officers of his Department have been employed in visits to farms in the East Riding of Yorkshire since 1st January, 1948.
§ Dr. SummerskillI regret that the information asked for in regard to the East Riding of Yorkshire is not available, but, on an average, 3o enforcement inspectors have been employed each week since the 1st January, 1948, in visits to farms in the East and West Ridings.
§ Sir W. SmithersDoes not the hon. Lady now realise how right my right hon. Friend the Member for Woodford (Mr. Churchill) was when he warned us against the Gestapo?