MR. BLENNERHASSETT (for Mr. JAMES HOWARD)asked the Vice President of the Council, What is the present condition of the Country in respect of cattle disease; and, whether the Department can suggest any means for stamping out foot and mouth disease as effectually as has been the case in Ireland?
§ MR. CHAPLINasked whether it was not a fact that foot-and-mouth disease was stamped out by the late Administration, and that the country was free from the disease for nine months, until it was imported by the admission of cargoes of diseased animals from abroad?
§ MR. MUNDELLAIt would be much more convenient that Notice should be given by the hon. Member for Mid Lincolnshire. I saw it stated that the hon. Member said that immediately the Liberal Government came into Office they spread food-and-mouth disease over the country.
§ MR. CHAPLINI beg the right hon. Gentleman's pardon. I should be obliged if the right hon. Gentleman would inform me where he saw that statement? What I did say was that, unfortunately, with the Liberal Government foot-and-mouth disease re-appeared in the country.
§ MR. MUNDELLASir, I think I shall have no difficulty in supplying the hon. Gentleman with the extract in question. I read it in a Lincolnshire paper during the Elections. It is true that the country was free from foot-and-mouth disease for nine months; but I hope the hon. Gentleman does not imply that we imported the disease any more than our Predecessors, because we were able to take greater precautions, as we had the benefit of our Predecessors' experience. I think I am justified in stating that, in the opinion of the best authorities, the live stock of the country is freer from disease than it has been for many years past. Of course, every outbreak, even if a single animal is attacked, is reported, and appears in the Gazette, and although this information is most valuable, it gives the impression that disease is more prevalent than is really the case. We have no suggestions to offer, except that the local authorities should carry out the provisions of the Act with vigilance and promptitude, for, wherever this has been done, the result has been 1937 most encouraging. It is difficult to answer the Question of my hon. Friend, except at some length; but I will do so as briefly as possible. The condition of the country with regard to cattle disease is, on the whole, very satisfactory. During the past three years pleuropneumonia has steadily declined. There has been no outbreak of the more serious diseases of rinderpest or sheep-pox. During the last year swine fever has been prevalent in certain districts; and although the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease which commenced in October, 1880, continues to give some trouble, the regulations in force have checked it in a remarkable manner. In 1881, as compared with the last serious outbreak which took place in 1871—the last year for which we have any complete Returns previous to the passing of the Act of 1878—the outbreaks in 1871 were 52,164, and the number of animals attacked was 691,565. In 1881 the outbreaks were 4,833, and the number of animals attacked 183,046. The results, comparing the first three months of this year with last year, are still more satisfactory. The comparison between the Returns of the under mentioned diseases during the first 13 weeks of 1881 and those of 1882 is as follows:—Pleuro-pneumonia.—Outbreaks in 1881, 223; in 1882, 136. Animals attacked in 1881, 495; in 1882, 326. Foot-and-mouth disease.—Outbreaks in 1881, 1,812; in 1882, 339. Animals attacked in 1881, 105,389; in 1882, 8,136. Died in 1881, 1,781; in 1882, 91. The outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in 1871 were 52,164; the animals attacked, 691,565. In 1881 the outbreaks were 4,833, and the animals attacked 183,046. As to pleuro-pneumonia, the outbreaks in 1877 were 2,007, and animals attacked 5,330; in 1878—outbreaks, 1,721; animals attacked, 4,593; in 1879—outbreaks, 1,549; animals attacked, 4,414; in 1880—outbreaks, 1,052; animals attacked, 2,765; in 1881—outbreaks, 729; animals attacked, 1,875. Pleuro-pneumonia has steadily declined since the passing of the Act. With respect to Ireland, the last outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease never reached that country. In Scotland only two outbreaks have taken place; and, owing to the vigorous way of dealing with them by the local authorities, in one case the animals being bought up and slaughtered, the disease has not spread.