§ MR. WOODS (Essex, Walthamstow)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the cases of rabies among dogs have been very rare in the counties of Lancashire and Essex during this year, and will he state the number of cases that have occurred in each county since December, 1897; whether he will issue a Return during the Recess of all the cases of rabies in England since December, 1897; and, in view of the strong feeling existing against the Muzzling Order, if he will cause the said Order to be revoked in Lancashire and Essex?
THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURETwo cases of rabies have occurred in Lancashire during the current year. No case has occurred in Essex. Complete returns of all cases occurring in Great Britain are published weekly, and I scarcely think, therefore, that any special return is now called for. The position in regard to the disease has undoubtedly improved, but it would be premature for me to withdraw the Muzzling Orders which are still in force in portions of the two counties named, for the reasons which I have recently explained.