Mr. De la Bèreasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will now consider issuing a report setting out the conclusions the Ministry have arrived at, after inspection of poultry flocks by breeders, with a view to guidance for the future in improving the health of poultry flocks, as a result of the information obtained?
Mr. HudsonThe only country-wide inspection of poultry flocks recently carried out at the instance of the Ministry is that made by panels appointed at my request by County War Agricultural Executive Committees. The inspection was made with a view to the selection of sound foundation pure-bred poultry breeding stocks which could be recommended for preference in the supply of concentrated feeding stuffs. When inspecting stocks for this purpose the panels (which in each case include a Veterinary Surgeon) specially take into consideration the health of the birds and may require special health tests to be carried out. The information obtained in the course of the inspections is not such as to necessitate any modification of the advice already given in the bulletin and leaflets published by the Ministry, copies of which I am sending to my hon. Friend.