§ MR. W. LOWTHERasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, If it is a fact that there were only forty-three diseased animals in England on the thirteenth instant; and, whether measures could not be taken for destroying these forty-three animals, and thus stamping out the cattle disease?
§ MR. CHAPLINasked, Whether, having regard to the extremely limited number of animals which still remain affected with foot-and-mouth disease in Great Britain, Her Majesty's Government are prepared to exercise the powers vested in the Privy Council for their compulsory slaughter, and to give full compensation for the same?
§ MR. DODSONIt is a fact that according to the [Returns on the 7th of June, not on the 13th of June, there were only 43 diseased animals in England—that is, animals affected with foot-and-mouth disease. On the 9th of June there was the Return of an outbreak among a flock of sheep in Lincolnshire, and on the 12th of June an 815 outbreak amongst cattle in Kent. Up to the present time 369 animals have been reported affected with foot-and-mouth disease; 338 are sheep, and the remainder cattle. The hon. Member for Mid Lincolnshire will see that the number is not so very limited. Most of the Local Authorities in the various districts already possess powers of slaughtering if they choose to exercise them; the others can obtain them. The Privy Council have power to direct the authorities to slaughter the animals, and to grant compensation out of the rates. The Privy Council are watching these Returus very closely.
§ MR. JAMES HOWARDWould it not be possible to estimate the cost of slaughtering these animals?
§ MR. DODSONIt would be easy to put an estimate on them, though if the disease got among a herd of pedigree cattle the case might be different.
§ Afterwards,
§ MR. J. W. BARCLAYasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Whether, seeing there are only by the last Returns forty-three animals in the Country suffering from foot and mouth disease, the Privy Council will not take measures to have those animals slaughtered, and thus have the United Kingdom free of this disease?
§ MR. DODSON, in reply, said, that a Circular had been issued some time ago to Local Authorities calling attention to the matter.
§ MR. J. W. BARCLAYThree months ago, or recently?
§ MR. DODSONLess than three months ago.