§ MR. DIXON-HARTLAND (Middlesex, Uxbridge)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture when the Order for muzzling dogs will be withdrawn from the County of Middlesex?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. CHAPLIN, Lincolnshire, Sleaford)The question of my hon. Friend has already engaged my attention, but I have found it exceedingly difficult to relax the Order in the County of Middlesex until the same course is adopted for the whole of the Metropolitan Police District. There has been a case of rabies so lately as the month of September within that area, and I am advised that a sufficient time has not elapsed to justify me in withdrawing it at present. I cannot indicate the date of its probable withdrawal, for the reason that it must depend upon the nature of the Returns which we continue to receive; but I am glad to say that they have been exceedingly favourable of late, and I have great hopes that I may be able to relax it, so far as the Metropolis is concerned, at no distant date.
§ MR. DIXON-HARTLANDMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman whether he is aware that Middlesex is the only County in which the Order is in force, and that cases of rabies are found in dogs coming from over the borders and not in the county itself, and whether, therefore, this is not an injustice to the county?
§ MR. CHAPLINNo, Sir; the statement of my hon. Friend is not altogether correct. The Muzzling Order prevails throughout the whole Metropolitan District at present, and in that district are included parts of several other counties, in addition to the County of Middlesex.