§ SIR EDWARD BIRKBECK (Norfolk, E.)asked the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, Whether, in the event of an outbreak of anthrax on any farm, and an order being given for animals to be slaughtered to prevent further spreading of the disease, the tenant will receive compensation in the same manner as in the case of foot-and-mouth disease under the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act; and, whether, if no such power is in force to grant compensation, Her Majesty's Government will at once introduce a Bill to remedy such defect?
§ THE CHANCELLOR OF THE DUCHY (Lord JOHN MANNERS) (Leicestershire, E.)The Government do not propose to give Local Authorities power to slaughter on account of anthrax, or otherwise to deal with anthrax as with foot-and-mouth disease, which is a totally different affection. Slaughter in anthrax would be impracticable, as the animals are usually found dead, or die soon after the symptoms become apparent; and, further, as the disease does not spread 690 by the mere association of the diseased with the healthy animals, slaughter end compensation would only be for the benefit of the owner, and not for that of the community.
§ SIR EDWARD BIRKBECKasked, if the noble Lord was aware that a tenant farmer in Lancashire was ordered by the Local Authorities to slaughter his animals in consequence of an outbreak of anthrax, and that he received no compensation?
§ LORD JOHN MANNERSI am not aware of it.