§ MR. WHITEHEAD (Essex, S.E.)I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can see his way to include foreign straw used for packing and foreign peat-moss in the Order prohibiting import, having regard to the fact that both those articles are used for litter, and that peat-moss is imported from places where there is foot-and-mouth disease.
§ *MR. J. A. PEASE (for Sir EDWARD STRACHEY)The Board do not see their way to adopt the suggestion of my hon. friend. They are satisfied that it would not be practicable to prohibit the introduction of straw used in packing, and in the case of peat-moss litter the manner in which that article is prepared for use renders it extremely improbable, if not impossible, that foot-and-mouth disease can be introduced thereby.
§ MR. COURTHOPEWill the Government consider the possibility of preventing the sale of this packing straw.
§ *MR. J. A. PEASEWe have considered that fully and have come to the conclusion that it would be absolutely impossible to watch the course of this packing straw in all cases, and to have it destroyed.
§ VISCOUNT HELMSLEYIs not its importation prohibited in Ireland?
§ *MR. J. A. PEASENot to my knowledge.