§ MR. HARDY (Kent, Ashford)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view 43 of the periodical outbreaks of sheep scab, he will consider the expediency of promptly introducing a measure to secure compulsory dipping of sheep at least once a year, either by general legislation or by giving powers to County Councils to order compulsory dipping within their own areas.
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OFAGRICULTURE (Mr. HANBURY,) PrestonOne clipping a year would not meet the difficulty, as the ova would not be destroyed, and a second dipping very soon afterwards would be necessary to destroy the produce of the ova. The difficulties in the way of enforcing the dipping of some fifty millions of sheep twice a year, with a definite interval between the dippings, are obvious. Local authorities have already such large powers for regulating the movement of sheep into, and in, their own districts that they practically can do what my hon. friend suggests by making dipping a condition precedent to movement.
§ MR. HARDYDo I understand the right hon. Gentleman to say that County Councils have powers to order the dipping of sheep within their own areas?
§ MR. HANBURYYes.
§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, Chelmsford)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he will take steps to compel the local authorities to enforce the sheep scab Order.
§ MR. HANBURYIf my hon. friend will let me know the particular local authorities of which he complains as not doing their duty in this respect, I will ascertain how far the complaint is justified and take steps to see that the Order is properly carried out.