§ MR. FELLOWES (Hunts, Ramsey)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that glanders is very prevalent in London; and whether his scientific advisers have reported that the disease is spread through the drinking troughs for horses in the Metropolis; and, if so, whether some steps can be taken to prevent the spread of the disease, not only in London, but also into the country districts?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. H. GARDNER,) Essex, Saffron WaldenThe figures before me do not support the view that glanders is very prevalent in London at the present time. During the 23 weeks ending the 9th instant we received Reports of only 346 outbreaks and 461 animals attacked in the County of London, as compared with 490 outbreaks and 820 animals in the corresponding period of 1893, and 553 outbreaks and 1,029 animals in the corresponding period of 1892. There is no doubt that glanders is at times spread by the use of drinking troughs by horses affected with the disease; but in view of the figures I have cited, I do not think that the closing of such troughs and the consequent withdrawal of the facilities afforded for watering horses would be justified at the present time. I will, however, keep the matter in view.