§ MR. CHAPLIN (Lincolnshire, Sleaford)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is now in a position to state what were the circumstances connected with the recent outbreak of pleuro-pneumonia in the Isle of Thanet; and to what sources of infection the Veterinary Department of the Board attribute the contraction of the disease?
§ MR. H. GARDNERThe outbreak in question occurred at a farm near Minster, in the Isle of Thanet. The usual measures were immediately taken to trace and slaughter the animals which 1279 had been exposed to infection, and upwards of 120 animals have thus been dealt with, of which seven have been found to be diseased. The inquiries are still proceeding, but as yet we have no reason to suppose that any of the animals which have been in contact with the disease have been removed out of the district. No further information has been elicited as to the origin of the outbreak, and I think there is not much room for doubt that the outbreak is due to the introduction of animals from the neighbourhood of London.
§ MR. CHAPLINAm I right in saying the right hon. Gentleman told us there had been no outbreak for some months previously?
§ MR. H. GARDNERI believe the right hon. Gentleman is correct, but I have not the dates before me.
§ MR. KNATCHBULL-HUGESSENasked whether the right hon. Gentleman had seen the report of a second outbreak in the Isle of Thanet?
§ MR. II. GARDNERI have seen no such report.