§ DR. FARQUHARSON) (Aberdeenshire, W.I beg to ask the Minister 1018 for Agriculture whether it is the intention of the Government to establish an experimental station where the exact nature of pleuro-pneumonia can be ascertained, and conditions established under which inoculation can be scientifically carried out; and, failing this, whether they will contribute to the expenses of any Local Authority which will undertake to carry out these experiments?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. CHAPLIN) Lincoln, SleafordIn reply to the hon. Member's question, I am advised that experiments have been carried on for years in this country and abroad with the object of discovering the microbe of the disease, but hitherto without any satisfactory result. This inquiry is still being continued at the Royal Veterinary College, London. The annual Report of the Veterinary Department will contain a statement of all that has been done on this subject by scientists up to the present time. It is being prepared; and, having regard to this fact, and to the conflicting evidence given before the Departmental Committee which was appointed to inquire into pleuro-pneumonia and tuberculosis in 1888, it appears desirable to wait for the statement which I have referred to before any further steps are taken.