§ MAJOR RASCHI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware of the spread of sheep scab, and if he will make an order prohibiting the removal of sheep from one county to another without a certificate; and whether he can relax the orders relating to swine fever, owing to the reduction in the number of cases of disease?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREThe position in regard to sheep scab has improved rather than otherwise, as my hon. Friend will see from the reply which I gave to the Question recently addressed to me on the same subject by my hon. Friend the Member for the Basingstoke Division. 982 The local authorities already possess the power to protect themselves against the introduction of the disease by prohibiting or regulating the movement of sheep into their districts, and we have recently issued a circular letter indicating the means by which this can most effectively be done. I do not think, therefore, that the issue of an Order such as that suggested is necessary. I am sorry to say that there has recently been some recrudescence in regard to swine fever, and the moment is, therefore, scarcely opportune for the relaxation of the existing restrictions.
§ MAJOR RASCHCannot the right hon. Gentleman relax the regulations in regard to swine fever?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREI am sorry to say I cannot, in view of the fact that there has been a recrudescence of the fever. The moment, therefore, is not opportune.