§ Mr. H. C. STEPHENS (Middlesex, Hornsey)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware that, as the muzzling orders for 1443 dogs in the counties of London, Surrey, and Hertford having been taken off, it is in contemplation to remove the muzzling order in the county of Middlesex; (2) whether it is true that fresh cases of rabies within the area of the counties mentioned have occurred quite recently; and (3) whether the Departmental Committee having reported that muzzling is not only an efficient, but the only means which is now practicable for the extermination of rabies, he will issue a muzzling order for an area and with conditions which would be likely to bring about the extermination of rabies.
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Liverpool, West DerbyThe answer to the first question is in the affirmative. I regret to say the answer to the second is the same. In reply to the third, I would say that the circumstances which have recently occurred point clearly to the necessity for the issue of a muzzling order applicable to the whole of the metropolitan district, irrespective of the boundaries of particular local authorities. The form which such an order should take, is now engaging my attention, especially with regard to the description of muzzle to be used.
§ MR. STEPHENSasked when this order would probably be issued.
§ *MR. WALTER LONGI am afraid I cannot give the exact date, but I hope to be able to make an announcement shortly.