§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEasked the Minister of Health if he is aware that over 2,000 infants die every, year from bovine tuberculosis; that this is mainly conveyed by milk; that the expenditure on treatment, convalescence, and after-care of this disease in infants amounts to over £9,000,000 a year; and if he will consider the advisability of introducing measures to secure that no milk other than that free from tubercle shall be given to infants attending the 3,000 existing infant-welfare centres?
§ Miss LAWRENCEI am not aware from what source the hon. and gallant Member obtained the figures mentioned in the first part of the question. My1094W right hon. Friend is advised that it is not possible to ascertain precisely how many infants die each year from bovine tuberculosis, but such evidence as is available suggests that the number is less than that given in the question. The answer to the second part of the question is in the affirmative. I am not aware of any information to support the figure of £9,000,000 a year mentioned in the third part of the question. As regards the last part, dried milk is supplied at the majority of infant welfare centres, and this is recommended by my Department in any case in which the ordinary milk supply is of doubtful quality. A few local authorities supply tuberculin tested milk, but it would not be practicable to require such a supply in every case nor would such a requirement be justified having regard to the many available supplies of dried milk of reliable brands.