§ MR. COURTHOPE (Sussex, Rye)To ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the Board of Agriculture, whether, having regard to the letter addressed on 15th November, 1907, to the Board of Agriculture from the Central Chamber of Agriculture, in which it was stated that the importation of hay and straw from Holland and Belgium was likely to convey foot-and-mouth disease to this country, and having further regard to the fact that this disease has broken out in close proximity to Leith, one of the ports through which the importation of Continental hay and straw takes place, His Majesty's Government will prohibit the future importation of hay and straw from all countries in which foot-and-mouth disease exists.
(Answered by Sir Edward Strachey.) The matter to which the hon. Member refers is receiving very careful considera- 177 tion, but our information on the subject is not complete, and no decision can as yet be arrived at respecting it.