2. Mrs. Butlerasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food how many local authorities now collect and process kitchen waste for animal feeding; and what advice his Department gives with regard to such schemes.
The Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (Mr. W. M. F. Vane)I understand that twelve local authorities collect and process kitchen waste for animal feeding. The Department is always glad to give technical information and advice to any local authority seeking it but the final arrangements are the responsibility of the local authority concerned.
Mrs. ButlerIn view of the importance to the national economy of making the best use of all our resources and also the public health advantages of this method of disposing of waste, will the Minister study the experience of boroughs which are carrying out these processes, particularly the Borough of Tottenham, which is still producing "Tottenham Pudding" effectively and usefully, to see what the difficulties and the advantages are and to give positive advice to local authorities to encourage them to follow Tottenham's example?
Mr. VaneI certainly agree that a number of local authorities are doing valuable work. At the same time, however, I should like to take this opportunity of warning everybody of the need to keep unboiled food waste away from farm animals because of the disease risk.