HC Deb 13 April 1910 vol 16 cc1223-4
Mr. STANIER

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, whether he would state the names of the Departmental Committee on Swine Fever, and what were the terms of the reference to the Committee?

Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

asked the terms of reference to the Departmental Committee on Swine Fever and the names of the Commissioners?

Mr. CATOR

also asked when the promised Departmental Committee on Swine Fever would be set up; what was to be the composition of the Committee; and what would be the terms of reference?

Sir E. STRACHEY

The Committtee has been appointed "to inquire into the cause of the continued prevalence of swine fever in Great Britain, and to report whether it is practicable to adopt any further measures with a view to secure its speedy extirpation." It will be constituted as follows: The hon. Member for the Rye Division (chairman); the hon. Member for the Buckrose Division; Mr. A. W. Anstruther, C.B., one of the Assistant Secretaries of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries; Colonel M. Locke Blake, V.D.; Mr. Charles M. Douglas, M.A., D.Sc.; Mr. Frank W. Garnett, M.R.C.V.S.: Colonel Charles E. Long-more, V.D.; Professor L. Penberthy, F.R.C.V.S.; Mr. Stewart Stockman, M.R.C.V.S., Chief Veterinary Officer of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. Mr. P. S. Lawrie, of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, will act as Secretary.

Mr. STANIER

Arising out of the answer, may I ask if the pathology of the disease will be gone into?

Sir E. STRACHEY

I think the terms of reference certainly empower that.

Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

Will the right hon. Gentleman state whether the terms of reference will admit of the consideration of the qualifications and the value of the work of the seventy-two non- professional swine-fever inspectors who owe their employment to the patronage of the President of the Board?

Mr. LANE-FOX

Will the hon. Baronet state whether the existing regulations for swine fever are to be maintained?

Sir E. STRACHEY

Naturally we must wait until the Committee has reported.

Mr. CHARLES BATHURST

Does the right hon. Gentleman decline to answer my question?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. Member can give notice of his question in the usual way.