§ MR. LAURENCE HARDY (Kent, Ashford)I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether his attention has been called to the resolution recently passed by the National Sheep Breeders' Association,
†See (4) Debates, clvi., 28; clx., 493–4.675 urging the Government to put into force at once an universal order throughout the whole of Great Britain for the compulsory dipping of sheep; whether he is aware that the outbreaks of sheep scab are now in excess of the outbreaks at the same season last year; and whether the Board will now proceed to carry into effect an universal sheep-dipping order in accordance with the wish of the main body of sheep breeders in the country.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEY (Somersetshire, S.)we have received the resolution referred to, but the proposals made would involve a system of penalties on the owner of diseased sheep. This would require legislation and the Board do not consider the necessity of such a measure has been established. It is true that the number of cases of the disease during the two weeks ended 1st December was greater than during the same period last year, but this temporary increase has not been maintained, and for the year as a whole the outbreaks have been reduced by nearly one-half. The Board are now considering the question of extending the requirement of compulsory dipping universally.