§ MR. J. W. BARCLAY (Forfarshire)asked the noble Viscount the Member for Lewisham, Whether the Agricultural Department is satisfied that the Order in Council prescribing the slaughter of all animals affected with pleuro-pneumonia which had been in contact with animals so affected is being thoroughly carried out by Local Authorities throughout the whole of the United Kingdom; and, if not, what steps the Privy Council propose to take to have the Order universally enforced?
§ VISCOUNT LEWISHAM (Lewisham)said, some little difficulty arose in carrying out the Pleuro-Pneumonia Slaughter Order in some districts in Great Britain when the Order was first issued, owing to a misunderstanding on the part of some Local Authorities; but, at the present time, the Order may be said to be carried out satisfactorily. The Inspectors of the Agricultural Department have visited nearly every outbreak in the country, with a view to ascertain what action has been taken by the Local Authorities, and to advise them generally upon the mode in which the Order should be carried into effect. In the district of the Metropolitan Board of Works the slaughter has not in all cases been carried out within the time specified in the Order. The Privy Council have, however, urged upon the Board of Works the absolute necessity for taking immediate stops in the matter, and the Board have given instructions for the Order to 1390 be carried into effect forthwith. The Agricultural Department have every reason to believe that a similar Order, passed by the Irish Privy Council, is being rigidly enforced under the supervision of officers of the Veterinary Department in Dublin.