HC Deb 14 February 1881 vol 258 c768
SIR HERBERT MAXWELL

asked the Vice President- of the Council, If he has any further information of the outbreak of foot and mouth disease in Wigtonshire; whether there is any further outbreak in Scotland; and, whether, in view of the difficulties in the way of uniform and united action among the Local Government Boards in Scotland, he will not advise the absolute prohibition of the transit of cattle from one infected district or county to another, except for purposes of slaughter?

MR. MUNDELLA

I am glad to be able to state, Sir, that the reported outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Wig-tonshire was entirely unfounded. There is at present, so far as we know, no foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland. In reply to the second Question, I have to say that, as we find the imports of cattle from England and Wales at this period of the year are very small, and that the local authorities of the large consuming populations of Glasgow and Edinburgh have already prohibited importation, we have decided on extending the prohibition to the whole of Scotland, so far as imports from England and Wales are concerned, and an Order is in course of preparation to that effect. Store cattle may still be imported from Ireland, as there is no infection in that country.