§ * MR. CHAPLIN (Surrey, Wimbledon)I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the fact that it is now a month or more since the first outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Scotland occurred; that it was due, on the admission of the Board of Agriculture, to infected hay, imported from the Netherlands; that there have been two further and recent outbreaks since then; and that the promised Order prohibiting the importation of hay and straw from countries infected with foot-and-mouth disease has not yet been issued, the Board will issue it at once, without more delay.
§ Mr. VERNEY (Buckinghamshire, N.)asked whether the Order, when issued, would cover the case of the importation of hay and straw intended for the purpose of packing as well as for fodder.
§ Mr. J. A. PEASEThe Order was issued yesterday, and will come into operation on Monday next. Whilst the Order prohibits both hay and straw coming into this country for the purpose of either fodder or litter, yet hay or straw which, at the time of importation, is being used for the packing of merchandise, or manufactured straw not intended for the fodder or litter of animals, will be allowed to come in.
§ Mr. HICKS BEACH (Gloucestershire, Tewkesbury)asked how it was the 886 Order issued for Ireland differed from that for England seeing that it totally prohibited all imports of hay and straw from infected countries.
§ Mr. J. A. PEASEsaid the Board of Agriculture for Great Britain had no control over the arrangements in connection with the issue of Orders in respect of Ireland. As already explained to the House, communications had been entered into with the Board of Customs, and the whole question was being looked into to see what change would be necessary if the Order were extended beyond Great Britain.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSY (Limerick, W.)And could not sawdust be used as a substitute for packing?
§ Mr. J. A. PEASEsaid there had been no unnecessary delay in the issue of the Order. It had been absolutely necessary to enter into communication with the Board of Customs in order that the issue of regulations might be fully arranged with that body. He believed that in many cases sawdust could not be used as a substitute for hay and straw for packing purposes.
§ Mr. LANE-FOX (Yorkshire, W. R., Barks ton Ash)asked how long the communications with the Customs would take?
§ Mr. J. A. PEASEThe decision has already been come to with regard to fodder and litter, and at present it is not intended to extend it. Further information is, however, being obtained.
§ Mr. CHAPLINasked the hon. Gentleman how he reconciled his statement that there had been no unnecessary delay in issuing the Order with the fact that it was now nearly a month since the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease.
§ Mr. J. A. PEASEI believe the Board of Agriculture expedited to the utmost of their ability every step which could be taken with a view to issuing the Order at the earliest possible date.
§ MAJOR ANSTRUTHER-GRAYCan-the hon. Gentleman explain the reason for the long delay in the issue of this, most vital Order?
§ Mr. AUSTEN CHAMBERLAIN (Worcestershire, E.)asked whether a cargo of suspected or infected hay, which was refused admission to Ireland by the Vice President of the Irish Board of Agriculture, had been landed in England whilst the English Board of Agriculture was deliberating.
§ Mr. J. A. PEASEI have no knowledge on that subject.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYCan the hon. Member say whether there has been any hay or straw imported into Ireland since the first outbreak?
§ Mr. J. A. PEASEI am not informed that there has been any.