§ MR. WARNERI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that no case of rabies has occurred in the rural district of Lichfield since January, 1896; and if he will shortly withdraw the Muzzling Order from this district as he has done from the other districts that are as far from Birmingham, where the only case of rabies in the neighbourhood has recently been reported?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREIt is true, I believe, that no case of rabies has occurred in the rural district of Lichfield since the date named, but there have been two serious cases in Birmingham during the past six months, and in view of the local conditions I am satisfied that I could not as yet sanction the proposed relaxation of the Muzzling Order without danger to the success of the operations on which we are engaged.
§ MR. WARNERIs the right honourable Gentleman aware that there are places nearer Birmingham exempt from the Order?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREI am not aware, but it does not follow that because places north of Birmingham are exempt, others south can be exempted with safety.