§ Mr. J. Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture whether it is his intention to proceed with the Poultry Bill before the summer Recess?
§ Sir W. WomersleyThe hon. Member is, of course, aware of the heavy pressure on Parliamentary time this Session. My right hon. Friend, however, is still hopeful that it may be possible to make progress with the Poultry Industry Bill before the summer Recess.
§ Sir G. Foxasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the approximate number of samples of blood for the agglutination test for pullorum infection in poultry estimated to be submitted to the laboratory at Weybridge for free examination under the Accredited Poultry Breeding Scheme during the period 1st August, 1939, to 29th February, 1940; whether he can give any estimate of the cost which will fall on public funds in connection with this free testing; whether he can state the capital sum involved in providing any additional equipment for the purposes; and whether he is satisfied that this extension of free service is in the best interests of the poultry industry?
§ Sir W. WomersleyIt is estimated that the number of samples of blood for the agglutination test for pullorum infection in poultry to be submitted to the Weybridge Laboratory for free examination under the Accredited Poultry Breeding Stations Scheme during the present testing season, which began on 1st June. 1939, will be about 400,000. Excluding the cost of permanent equipment, it is esti-628W mated that the cost that will fall on public funds in respect of tests during the season will be about £2,000. The additional cost of permanent equipment for the purpose of the free blood tests is estimated at £300. In addition a new block of buildings at Weybridge is to be used partly for blood tests but it is not possible to allocate the capital cost between this and other work.