HC Deb 02 December 1964 vol 703 cc459-60
35. Mr. Kitson

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food when he intends to introduce a scheme to eradicate brucellosis; how long he anticipates it will take to complete; and what would be the cost of the scheme.

Mr. John Mackie

My right hon. Friend hopes to be able to make a statement on this matter after considering the results of the recent brucellosis survey due to be published shortly and of further studies which are being undertaken by the Department.

Mr. Kitson

Does the Parliamentary Secretary realise that his right hon. Friend said in June this year that we cannot delay this any longer? We are now far behind any other country in Western Europe in dealing with this matter. We cannot go on waiting for further reports; we must get on with this.

Mr. Mackie

I think that the House knows of the interest which the hon. Member has taken in this and the excellent debate which he initiated in June this year, but I think that it would be invidious of us not to take careful note of the study group which his right hon. Friend appointed at the end of June, and discourteous not to await its report before we take action.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

Would the hon. Gentleman consider starting a pilot scheme for the eradication of brucellosis in Wales as was so successfully done in the case of the eradication of tuberculosis?

Mr. Mackie

I will certainly put that to my right hon. Friend to consider.