Lieut.-Colonel WATTS-MORGANasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that at the last quarterly meeting of the Glamorgan County Council it was reported that they had failed to secure conviction in three cases where proceedings had been taken against the vendor for selling milk that was deficient in butter fat to the extent of No. 1, 10 per cent.; No. 2, 13 per cent.; and No. 3, 15 per cent., respectively; and if, in view of the difficulty of securing convictions in the present state of the law, he will state what action he proposes to take?
Mr. CHAMBERLAINThe facts are as stated in the first part of the question. With regard to the second part of the question I would refer the hon. and gallant Member to the answer which I have given to his earlier question.
Lieut.-Colonel WATTS-MORGANasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that in the present state of the law no conviction can be secured against any milk vendor, no matter what degree of deficiency in butter fat or excess of water may be proved to be present, if the vendor is able to produce evidence to prove that the milk was sold as it came from the cow; and, if he will take steps as early as possible to secure that milk sold to the public is up to the required standard"
Mr. CHAMBERLAINI am aware that the law is substantially as stated. There are practical difficulties in laying down and applying any fixed standard which would be of advantage to consumers, and, as at present advised, I am not prepared to introduce legislation for that purpose.