§ Mr. Sharpasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the interdepartmental committee which has been considering proposals for the revision of the Milk and Dairies Regulations has now submitted recommendations, particularly in respect of the much-needed reduction of bovine tuberculosis and what action he is taking; of what is the reason for the delay and when he anticipates being in a position to make the necessary amendments.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsMy hon. Friend is under a misapprehension. No interdepartmental committee has been appointed for the purpose he describes, but officers of the Departments concerned are discussing what provisions might be included in the regulations which my right hon. Friend the Minister of Health and I are empowered to make under the Food and Drugs Acts, 1938 and 1944. The regulations cannot be made until the appointed day under the Food and Drugs (Milk and Dairies) Act, 1944, which I am not yet in a position to announce. Measures to secure a reduction in, and the ultimate eradication of, bovine tuberculosis64W are outside the scope of these regulations, but proposals on that subject will shortly be discussed with farming interests.