§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to a resolution passed unanimously by the Essex County Council, on 2nd April, recommending the revision of the swine fever regulations as regards slaughter and compensation; and, whether he will carry out their proposal?
§ The following Question on the same subject also appeared on the Paper:
§ MR. ROUND (Essex, Harwich)To ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if be is aware that the County Council of Essex have unanimously- passed a resolution condemning the system of compulsory slaughter and compensation in cases of swine fever as now carried out; and, whether the experience of the Board in other parts of England justifies him in the continuance of the present system?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. H. LONG,) Liverpool, West DerbyYes, Sir, my attention was personally directed to this matter some days ago by my honourable Friend the Member for the Harwich Division, who has also a Question on the Paper respecting it. I am disposed to agree with the Essex County Council, that in certain circumstances the slaughter of incontact swine might, without disadvantage, be less freely resorted to than has hitherto been the case. The law, however, expressly provides that where we order swine to be slaughtered compensation shall be paid, and I could not propose any departure from this rule, which seems to me to be a very reasonable one.
§ MAJOR RASCHIs the right honourable Gentleman aware that swine fever is a disease which requires no special treatment at all?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREI know nothing of the kind. My honourable and gallant Friend is entirely wrong.