§ MR. ROGERS (Wiltshire, Devizes)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 fact that the effect of the Wiltshire Swine Fever Order of 1907, in so far as it limits the movements of swine for breeding purposes, is to cause the greatest inconvenience to all engaged in the industry of pig breeding; whether a resolution of the committee of the Wilts County Council concerned with the administration of the Diseases of Animals Acts has been received by the Board, pointing out the inconvenience caused by the Order and strongly urging the reduction in the period of time necessary before a removal order is granted for breeding purposes, from twenty-eight to twenty days; and whether, in view of the almost prohibitive effect which the present Order is causing on pig breeding, owing to the operation of natural causes which govern the industry, he will consider the possibility of making the reduction asked for.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEYWe have given very careful consideration to the resolution to which my hon. friend refers, but in view of the serious increase of swine fever both in Wiltshire and in the surrounding counties during the present year we should not at present be justified in giving increased facilities for the movement of swine for breeding purposes, a proceeding which is always attended with special danger so far as the spreading of disease is concerned. We fully recognise, however, the inconvenience and loss which the regulations entail, and we shall be very glad indeed to relax them at the earliest possible moment consistent with safety.