§ SIR H. MAXWELL (Wigton)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has any information of repeated outbreaks of glanders among horses in the County of Wigton; and whether the disease in each case had been traced to the horses of a certain dealer in South Ayrshire, the Local Authority of which county has repudiated all responsibility in the matter; and whether he will cause stringent inquiry to be made in order to bring to an end such a serious state of affairs?
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. H. GARDNER,) Essex, Saffron WaldenI am sorry to say that it is the case that several outbreaks of glanders have occurred in Wigtonshire during the period named in the question. It has been stated by the Wigtonshire County Council that the disease was introduced into that county from Ballantrae in Ayrshire; but I am informed by the Ayrshire County Council that the disease originated in Wigtonshire. I have no authority to determine the question at issue between the two Councils, nor would there, in my 1736 opinion, be any advantage in my doing so. What is requisite is that both Local Authorities should take active measures against the disease wherever it may appear in their respective counties, and I have no reason to suppose that there is any disinclination on the part of either of them to do so.
§ SIR H. MAXWELLWill the right hon. Gentleman undertake a stringent inquiry such as I suggest?
§ *MR. H. GARDNERThe matter is not under the administration of the Board of Agriculture. Under the Glanders Order issued last year, the duty devolves on the Local Authorities to administer the Order, and I see no reason to intervene in the matter.
§ SIR H. MAXWELLBut suppose the Local Authorities fail to do their duty?
§ *MR. H. GARDNERIf it was reported to me that they failed to do their duty it might be for the Board of Agriculture to intervene; but in the meantime it is for me to hear what the Local Authorities have to say in the matter.