MR. PAGETasked the Vice President of the Council, Whether in view of section 47 of "The Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, 1869," a local authority is legally entitled to make rules restricting the movement of stock within the limits of an infected place, or otherwise dealing with animals in an infected place; and, if not, if he will procure the issue of a general Order of Council to apply to all infected places in a manner similar to that laid down in Order of Council of 12th and 27th April 1877, dealing exclusively with the Metropolis?
§ VISCOUNT SANDONThe Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act, 1869, gives the Privy Council special powers of making rules for infected places in the Metropolis, and the Orders of the 12th and 27th of April, 1877, were made in part by virtue of those special Orders. These Orders could not be extended to the country generally; but, under the Cattle Plague Order of 1877, local authorities can prohibit the movement of cattle in their district, and this would enable them to make rules respecting the movement of stock within the limits of an infected place. I trust, therefore, this information will fully meet my hon. Friend's Question, which is certainly one of considerable importance. The Veterinary Department is not prepared at present to make any alteration in the mode of disinfecting loading pens, trucks, and vans, as prescribed under Article 18 of the Animal Order, 1875. I think it right to inform my hon. Friend that the whole question of disinfection, which is one of great importance, is now under consideration.