§ MR. NORRIS (Tower Hamlets, Limehouse)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture in what districts the Muzzling Order for dogs has 332 been rescinded; if he can state the number of cases of rabies during the past year; and whether it is proposed to' continue the Muzzling Order in the Metropolis, and if statistics prove that if it were extended for six months to the whole Kingdom the disease would entirely disappear?
§ SIR H. ROSCOE (Manchester, S.)May I ask whether it is not the fact that the registration of dogs has signally failed in the Continental cities where it has been adopted; and whether the right hon. Gentleman will re consider his decision as to replacing muzzling by registration?
§ MR. CHAPLINYes, Sir; I am aware of both of the facts referred to by the hon. Member; but I must remind him that the Order which has recently been made by the Board of Agricult tre— substituting a collar for the muzzle— only extends to those districts in which we have reason to believe that the disease has ceased to exist. In reply to> the question on the Paper, the Muzzling Order has been modified in those parts of Essex, Herts, Kent, and Surrey, which are outside the Metropolitan Police District. The number of cases of rabies, during last year was 340. The Muzzling Order has never at any time been extended to the whole Kingdom, and there are no statistics to show what the effect of the Order would be if it were made; universal. From the progress made already, I anticipate that rabies may be effectually dealt with without any necessity for so stringent a measure.