§ 11. Mr. James Hamiltonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will consider introduc 1122 ing legislation to stop the sale of unpasteurised milk.
§ Mr. Anthony StodartMy right hon. Friend is considering whether any measures would be desirable regarding the sale of such milk.
§ Mr. HamiltonIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the Secretary of State for Scotland has had this Question put to him and has given a similar reply? Is the hon. Gentleman aware, further, that, in their annual reports, medical officers of health have intimated that the sale of unpasteurised milk from the cow to the consumer carries tremendous risks and that the only way of avoiding those risks is by introducing legislation? Will not the Minister consider this matter seriously, in the interests of the health of the nation?
§ Mr. StodartConsideration is going on. I think that we shall improve matters by the brucellosis eradication programme. We are also introducing a compulsory colour code for milk bottle caps, to enable people to see what they are buying. Medical officers of health can ban the sale of milk or require heat treatment if they suspect that it is infected.