HL Deb 25 July 1968 vol 295 cc1243-4

3.10 p.m.

LORD CROOK

My Lords, I beg leave to ask the second Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government what action they propose to take arising from the disturbing report of the directors of four of the country's public health laboratories (viz., Birmingham, Truro, Worcester and Gloucester), that 34 per cent. of specimens of liquid or clotted cream failed to pass the test for bacterial contamination.]

LORD HILTON OF UPTON

My Lords, my noble friend is no doubt referring to a report in the Lancet of July 13. I am advised that the report does not suggest that cream is dangerously contaminated with bacteria. The view of Her Majesty's Government was stated by my honourable friend Mr. Hoy, the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food in another place on May 15. My right honourable friends the Minister of Agriculture and the Minister of Health are advised that the public health risk from cream is minimal. I can inform my noble friend that there have been no cases of food poisoning, or other illness, attributed to cream with any certainty during the past ten years. We are satisfied that the code of hygienic practice for cream production, handling and distribution which has recently been adopted by the dairy trade will reduce what little risk of infection remains.

LORD CROOK

My Lords, while thanking the noble Lord for that reply, may I ask whether he will bear in mind that the original Question was replied to in another place after attention was first drawn to the position in London, and that my Question relates to the findings in four further laboratories? May one wonder whether the Government think there is any use in having these consultants who produce the figure quoted in this Question if in fact they are not of any value?

LORD HILTON OF UPTON

Yes, my Lords, I am aware of what my noble friend has said. But, in a period of increased consumption of cream, I consider it extremely satisfactory that there has been no case of illness attributable to cream for ten years. We are proud of this record, but not complacent, and my right honourable friend will continue to watch the situation carefully.

LORD MOYNE

My Lords, is it not a fact that sour cream is eaten in many parts of the world, such as Scandinavia, and is considered very good for health? Is it not a question of distinguishing between lactic acid bacillus, which has a wholesome effect, and other bacilli which do not, and in these cases may it not have been the wholesome baccili?

LORD HILTON OF UPTON

My Lords, I am sure that the remarks of the noble Lord are quite wise.