§ MR. BIRKBECKasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether his attention has been called to the Report of Mr. Spear relative to the Siberian Plague, and the extreme danger of its spreading to our flocks, and also the danger of fatality to the wool sorters; whether it is a fact that upwards of 100,000 bales of Eastern wool are annually imported into England, and proved to be capable of much danger; and, whether he has considered, in view of its dangerous properties, the desirability of prohibiting the sale of the sweepings from the manufacturers' sorting rooms, and also the sale of the old bags?
§ MR. MUNDELLASir, Mr. Spear's Report has been considered by the Veterinary Department, and Professor Brown has written a Memorandum on the subject, which I propose to lay upon the Table. Outbreaks of "anthrax" are not uncommon in Russia, and have occurred occasionally in this country, although the disease has not generally 851 extended beyond the farm where the outbreak took place. There is only a single instance recorded where the disease arose on lands which had been partly manured with refuse from woollen factories. Under these circumstances, there does not appear to be any necessity for the prohibition suggested by the hon. Member.