§ 13. Sir A. V. Harveyasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what is being done to implement a plan with a view to eradicating brucellosis.
§ Mr. PeartI am unable to add to the first part of the reply given to the hon. Member for Richmond, Yorks (Mr. Kitson) on 22nd December last.
§ Sir A. V. HarveyIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that that reply gives no encouragement whatsoever to the farmers? Why does he not tackle this problem on the lines on which previous Conservative Governments got rid of T.B.? Does he not realise the enormous loss to the industry and to the national economy? Instead of window-dressing and false promises, could not this industry have something?
§ Mr. PeartThe hon. Member refers to the previous Administration. They did nothing, it is true—[HON. MEMBERS: "Oh."]—they did nothing about brucellosis. I appreciate the seriousness of this problem and I am anxious to do something. There are problems here—whether to go in for an immediate eradication scheme, the cost of which I remember giving on a previous occasion, or to work out a gradual scheme, over which there are various difficulties. I make no apology for any delay.