§ MR. MANSFIELD (Lincolnshire, Spalding)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will give particulars of the most recently reported cases of swine fever in the Spalding Division; whether he has had the cases investigated; and, if so, with what result; and can he give an approximate date when the markets will be re-opened providing no fresh cases arise.
§ MR. GERALD BALFOURMy right hon. friend has asked me to give the following answer: Two outbreaks were detected as recently as the 14th and 27th of last month. The cases were fully investigated, and appear to have been connected with a recent outbreak in the same neighbourhood. As swine fever has lingered in this district for eight months, and the local authority decline to exercise veterinary supervision over the markets, I cannot undertake to say when the markets will be re-opened. To name a particular date might perhaps encourage concealment of the disease.