Mr. W. JOSEPH STEWARTasked the Minister of Agriculture how many tuberculin tested herds have been established in this country during the last six years; and the amount that has been given in grants during that time to local authorities and to other bodies with that object in view?
§ Mr. ELLIOTI am informed by my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health that the number of tuberculin tested herds in respect of which licences were issued for Certified or Grade A (Tuberculin Tested) milk during the period 1st April, 1930, to the 19th March, 1936, was 641. Under the scheme of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries for the attestation of tubercle-free herds, which came into operation on the 1st February, 1935, certificates of attestation were issued up to the 19th March, 1936, in respect of 76 herds, 25 of which are included in the 641 herds above mentioned. No grants in relation to this matter are payable to local authorities or to other bodies either by the Ministry of Health or the Ministry of Agriculture, but under the Attested Herds Scheme a bonus of ld. per gallon is paid in respect of milk sold from attested herds under the provisions of the Milk Marketing Scheme. A sum of £890 has been so paid up to the 19th March, 1936. The above information relates to England and Wales alone. For similar information as regards Scotland, I would refer the hon. Member to my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for Scotland.