§ MR. CHANNING (Northampton, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the report of Professor Brown, which shows an alarming increase in outbreaks of pleuro-pneumoniadnring the four weeks ending 24th May, and that the attacks are largely among shed cattle, and are spread by their sale and dispersion; and whether, having regard to the limited powers and jurisdiction now possessed by Local Authorities, especially as to control over movement of cattle from one area to another, he will take steps to bring the Pleuro-Pneumonia Bill into operation at the earliest possible date?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD or AGRICULTURE (Mr. CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, SleafordYes, Sir. My attention has been called to the report of Professor Brown, by which I presume the hon. Member refers to the usual monthly report which is presented by him to the Veterinary Committee of the Royal Agricultural Society. It is unfor- 159 tunately true that the outbreaks of pleuro-pneumonia have recently increased, and especially during the last month, a fact to which I have already called attention more than once during the passage of the Plenro-Pneumonia Bill through the House. I may observe that the disease usually shows a marked increase at this period of the year, which is due, no doubt, to the considerable movement of animals which takes place throughout the country. What the hon. Member means by the reference in the second part of his question to the very limited powers no w possessed by the Local Authorities I do not quite understand; and he is probably not aware that the powers they possess already within their own jurisdiction are very wide. I have already directed that a communication should be made to the various Local Authorities where the disease prevails with the view of procuring an energetic application of their powers until the Pleuro Bill comes into operation, which I am quite as anxious to hasten as the hon. Member.
§ MR. CHAPLINIn September.