§ 35. Dr. Strossasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies whether he is aware of the recent investigation carried out by the Medical Department in Kenya to ascertain the reasons for the prevalence of cysticercosis in farm animals, and that in 64 farms which were visited 46 had no latrine accommodation for labourers employed, 12 had inadequate accommodation, and only six had satisfactory provision; and how he proposes to enforce the compulsory provision of sanitary accommodation under labour, or master and servant ordinances.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Colonies (Mr. John Profumo)The Medical Department is at present engaged on a combined treatment and information campaign against the prevalence of tape-worm infection among farm labour. A feature of this effort is to encourage the more scrupulous use of the latrine accommodation provided under the law, and the health inspectorate in infected areas has recently been reinforced as a check that legal requirements are being met in the provision of accommodation.
§ Dr. StrossDoes not the Minister accept that the scrupulous use of sanitary accommodation is not easily enforced if there is no sanitary accommodation made available? Does not he agree that the facts in my Question seem very astonishing, and will he promise to do all he can to see that sanitary accommodation is made available on these farms, not only for the sake of the animals but particularly for the men?
§ Mr. ProfumoThe increase in the health inspectorate will, as I said, make it easier to find those people who are not conforming with the law on this subject.