§ VISCOUNT GRIMSTONasked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Whether it is true that a case of foot 1759 and mouth disease has broken out at a place called Markinch, in Fifeshire, which has been traced to some straw imported from France; and, whether Her Majesty's Government will take measures, by legislation or otherwise, to stop the importation of hay and straw from countries where disease is known to exist, and to save the agricultural community from such disastrous results?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY (Mr. HENEAGE)In reply to the noble Viscount's first Question, I have to state that there is no reason to believe that foot-and-mouth disease has been introduced into Fifeshire by means of straw imported from France or elsewhere; and in reply to the second Question, that Her Majesty's Government have no intention to propose any legislation to prohibit the importation of hay and straw from foreign countries.