§ COLONEL GUNTER (York, W. R., Barkstone Ash)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware of the great discontent that prevails in the agricultural parts of the West Riding of Yorkshire at the prolonged continuation of the Muzzling Order, the muzzle interfering with the work of the dog; and if he can now relax the Order, or say when the Order will be withdrawn?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREI have no doubt that the owners of dogs both in the West Riding and the other districts in which Muzzling Orders still remain in force would welcome the withdrawal of the Orders, but, at the same time, there is, I think, a general opinion that, in view of the stage which our operations have reached, it will be better that they should remain in force so long as any appreciable risk exists of our having to re-impose them. I could not with safety indicate a date for the withdrawal of the Orders, but my honourable Friend may be sure that I shall be very glad to find myself able to announce the completion of the task which we have thought it our duty to undertake.