asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Food (1) whether he is aware that in certain towns where considerable quantities of non-pasteurised infected milk are consumed there is adequate pasteurising plant to safeguard the entire town's milk supplies; and whether he will utilise such plant to capacity and diminish the incidence among consumers of milk-borne diseases;(2) whether he is aware of the supply of large quantities of milk to Newcastle-upon-Tyne from his Ministry which the medical officer of health cannot reject, bearing pathogenic organisms causing various diseases to consumers; and when it is expected that this source of loss of life, health and financial resources of Newcastle citizens will cease?

I am aware that in certain towns there is sufficient plant to enable all the milk required for human consumption in those towns to be heat treated. I am also aware that in Newcastle-upon-Tyne as in some other cities a certain proportion of the milk is not heat treated. My Noble Friend hopes shortly to be in a position to make an announcement of policy in this matter.