MR. CHAPLINasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether he has received any information to the effect that the cattle plague is spreading at Willesden, and that symptoms of it have shown themselves on another farm in 985 that neighbourhood, as reported in the newspapers of the 11th?
§ VISCOUNT SANDONNo Report of the extension of the cattle plague from the infected premises at Willesden has been received at the Veterinary Department. The Report to which my hon. Friend refers, of the appearance of the disease at another farm, has not, I am happy to say, been confirmed. The Local Authority had no such information up to 4 o'clock this afternoon.
§ MR. PELLasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether, in the case of the recent outbreak of cattle plague at Willesden, it is true that there was delay on the part of the inspector of the local authority in making the legal declaration under his hand and delivery of notice, so that the premises in question might become an infected place; and, whether the Inspector did, with all practicable speed, make the declaration required by law of the existence of cattle plague, and send a copy thereof to the Privy Council; and, if not, how much time was lost in the performance of these duties?
§ VISCOUNT SANDONThe owner of the dairy farm at Willesden states that he first observed symptoms of illness in one of his cows on the 3rd of April; that on the following day he communicated with the Inspector, who visited the premises on the 5th of April; but that he was not satisfied on his first inspection that cattle plague existed. On the 6th of April we are informed that the Inspector made another examination of the suspected cattle, and declared that cattle plague existed. Information of the outbreak was given to the Veterinary Department on the 7th of April by the Inspector of the Local Authority in person. A copy of the declaration, dated April 6, was received by the Department on the 10th of April.
§ MR. PELLasked the noble Lord, Whether, after three months' trial of the local authority in the Metropolis, the Lord President of the Council had taken any steps, and if so what, to make use of the large power conferred on the Council by the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act for stamping out the cattle plague?
§ VISCOUNT SANDONThe Government has observed with very great concern—as the House has also—the fact that the cattle plague has been lurking 986 about the Metropolis for more than three months. It unfortunately seems to have got hold of some dairies at the East End of London, and of one leading dairy at the West End. A great deal of trouble has no doubt been taken by the Local Authorities to prevent the spread of this terrible disease; but the House will feel that it is no slight matter for the Local Authorities to deal with such a fearful disease even in London. The Government have considered the matter carefully, and to-day an Order in Council has been passed by which the Privy Council has taken to itself the power, which they can do under the Act of 1869, of assuming the whole functions of the Local Authorities throughout the police district of the metropolis. The House is aware that this is a very strong measure to adopt; but, considering that this terrible disease has been lurking about the metropolis for the last three months, and that there is a most serious danger of its spreading beyond London, the House, I think, will agree with me that the strong measure taken has been justified under existing circumstances. The authority, therefore, hitherto exercised by the Local Authority falls into the hands of the Privy Council.
§ COLONEL KINGSCOTEasked the Vice President of the Council, After what hour he will not bring on the Motion for a Select Committee to inquire into the Cattle Plague and Importation of Live Stock; and, if he cannot bring it on this day at an hour when it can be discussed, whether he will say on what day he will do so?
§ VISCOUNT SANDON,in reply, said, he did not propose to bring on the Motion after 11 o'clock that evening; but he hoped to be able to bring it forward to-morrow night in time to enable hon. Members who wished to do so to speak upon the subject. It was desirable that as little delay as possible should occur in appointing this Committee.