§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland if he is aware that medical officers of health have no authority to prevent the sale of dairy cattle known to be carriers of brucellosis and if he will introduce legislation to remedy this and to offer proper compensation to farmers who dispose for slaughter cattle which might otherwise endanger public health.
§ Mr. RossThe answer to the first part of the Question is "Yes". As to the second part, the Government's policy is to tackle the problem of brucellosis in the first instance by means of the voluntary Brucellosis (Accredited Herds) Scheme, the aim of which is to build up a register of disease-free herds as a necessary first step towards an eventual eradication scheme.
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§ Mr. Buchanan-Smithasked the Secretary of State for Scotland what representations have been made to him by hospital boards regarding brucellosis; what reply he has sent; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. RossI have had no representations from hospital boards, but my Department has had discussions with officers of the North-Eastern Regional Hospital Board about arrangements for carrying out laboratory tests on milk in that Board's area.