§ MR. A. BILLSON (Devon, Barnstaple)It beg leave to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) if his attention has been called to a serious outbreak of anthrax in North Devon, whereby one farmer has lost upwards of 60 animals during the last few days; (2) if the regulations of the Board provide for any compensation in cases of anthrax; (3) and whether he will consider the desirability of issuing fresh regulations by the Board with reference to this disease?
§ MR. HERBERT GARDNERMy attention has been called to the recent serious outbreak of anthrax near Ilfracombe, and I have been in communication with the local authority on the subject. The Regulations of the Board provide for the payment of compensation where animals are slaughtered by a Local Authority with a view to prevent the spreading of disease, but in anthrax this course is not often desirable. With reference to the third paragraph of my 774 hon. Friend's question, I may say that a new and revised Order on the subject of anthrax was issued a few days ago, to come into force on the 1st prox. I shall be very glad to supply a copy to my hon. Friend.