§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYTo ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether his attention has been called to the prevalence of a disease called diphtheria in wood pigeons in several comities in England; whether he will take steps to form a Commission to investigate the matter and to ascertain whether it is a disease contagious to game, poultry, or other birds; and whether it is of a nature to be dangerous to man.
(Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The Board are aware of the prevalence of the disease to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. They understand that scientific investigations are being made with respect to it, the results of which will be carefully watched. They do not think that the matter is one which could with advantage be made the subject of inquiry by a Commission. I shall be glad to bring the concludeing inquiry to the notice of the Local Government Board, by whom questions concerning the public health fall to be considered.