Oral Answers to Questions — Pensions and National Insurance – in the House of Commons at 12:00 am on 26 March 1956.
Mr Robert Crouch
, North Dorset
12:00,
26 March 1956
asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what progress has been made in the research into husk in cattle; and what is the estimated annual loss to farmers as the result of this disease.
Sir Harmar Nicholls
, Peterborough
The research and trials now being carried out has considerably increased our knowledge of the lung-worm that causes husk, but little of practical value for the prevention or treatment of the disease has so far resulted. No reliable information is available regarding the annual loss to farmers.
Mr Robert Crouch
, North Dorset
In view of the heavy losses in stock which are sustained on account of this disease, not only through loss of flesh and the time taken to recover, but the fact that fatalities run as high as 50 per cent. in some herds, can the Minister not speed up the research into the disease? I know that it is not notifiable under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950, but it is a "silent" disease which needs immediate attention.
Sir Harmar Nicholls
, Peterborough
My hon. Friend can rest assured that my right hon. Friend is well aware of the importance of this matter and will do all he possibly can to speed up the research into the disease.
Ministers make up the Government and almost all are members of the House of Lords or the House of Commons. There are three main types of Minister. Departmental Ministers are in charge of Government Departments. The Government is divided into different Departments which have responsibilities for different areas. For example the Treasury is in charge of Government spending. Departmental Ministers in the Cabinet are generally called 'Secretary of State' but some have special titles such as Chancellor of the Exchequer. Ministers of State and Junior Ministers assist the ministers in charge of the department. They normally have responsibility for a particular area within the department and are sometimes given a title that reflects this - for example Minister of Transport.
