Brigadier-General Brownasked the Minister of Health whether he is aware that many large milk-retailer firms constantly return milk churns to farmers in a filthy condition and are seeking to evade their sterilising responsibilities by a clause in their contracts making farmers responsible; and whether he will prosecute these firms where the Milk Marketing Board inspectors are satisfied that empty milk churns are returned to farmers without being adequately sterilised by firms or depots?
§ Miss HorsbrughMy right hon. Friend is aware that complaints have been made of the condition in which churns are returned to producers. Under the Milk and Dairies Order, 1926, persons who empty and return churns in which milk has been delivered to them are required to cause the churns to be thoroughly cleansed before they leave their custody or control; and producers and other dairymen are required to cause all vessels used for containing milk to be kept in a state of thorough cleanliness. The enforcement of the Order is the responsibility of local authorities.