§ MR. HENEAGEasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Whether the Privy Council will consider the whole question of the internal regulations with regard to cattle diseases, with a view to establish uniformity of action in the event of a recurrence of foot-and-mouth disease, and to prevent vexatious and conflicting orders in adjoining counties or in different petty sessional divisions of the same county entailing unnecessary expenditure as well as great inconvenience to the public?
§ MR. TREVELYANThe Privy Council is always anxious to hear the views of those who have taken a practical part in working the machinery for checking and extinguishing cattle disease, and to act, as far as possible, in conformity with those views. For instance, there was, not long ago, an important conference of representatives of the Local Authorities in the North of England, at which a 59 Resolution pointing to uniform action was passed, and suggestions of a practical nature indicated. Those suggestions, which are in accordance with the experience which we have gained during the recent outbreak, are, I think, completely carried out in an Order of the Privy Council, dated the 13th of this month., which makes obligatory on all Local Authorities measures dealing with infected places which had hitherto been left to their initiative. To go further, and lay down general regulations with regard to the movement of animals into the districts of Local Authorities, would be much more difficult, because it would involve considerable interference with their discretion. We hope this Order may be sufficient; but, if not, I can assure my hon. Friend that we shall be very glad to consider any further suggestions that may be made for carrying out the excellent objects which he has in view.