§ Mr. HACKINGasked the Minister of Health whether his investigations have brought to light from what part of the world the parrots have come which have been found responsible for infecting human beings with psittacosis; whether they are the green or grey variety; and whether he can assure the public that parrots which have been in this country for a certain period of time, and have not been in contact with the disease, are immune from spreading infection?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI understand that the parrots associated with cases of psittacosis in this country have been mostly green parrots imported from South America. As regards the last part of the question, I am not in a position to give any definite assurance, but I am advised that the risk of contracting the disease from a parrot which has been in this country for some months, and has not been in contact with infected birds, may be regarded as negligible. I am sending the right hon. Member a copy of a memorandum on the subject which has recently been issued to local authorities.