§ MR. STEVENSON (Suffolk, Eye)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease in South Africa, adequate precautions have been and are being taken to prevent the disease from being conveyed from that country to the British Isles.
§ * THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. HANBURY,) PrestonWe have no confirmation of the statement that foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent in South Africa. Even if it were, there is the fact that no cattle, sheep, or swine have been imported from South Africa during the last three years, and we have no reason to believe that such importation is probable. The danger of infection by hides and skins is, as I explained the other day, very small, and is guarded against in the same way as in the case of similar imports from the Continent.
§ MR. STEVENSONIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that the disease is easily conveyed with clothing?
§ * MR. HANBURYYes. I know that.