§ Mr. STANIERasked whether any foreign hay, litter, or oats were used on the farms in Surrey where foot-and-mouth disease broke out; and, if so, from which country they came and whether they have been traced?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYA small quantity of Russian oats forming part of a cargo of over 10,000 quarters which left from Libau on 21st January last had been used for feeding the stock on Brooklands Farm. Inquiries have been instituted which showed that the cargo was very widely distributed in comparatively small quantities, and some of it is known to have been fed to cattle in the same neighbourhood as the infected place, but without any evil result. I should be glad to show to the hon. Member the reports which have been made by an inspector on the subject if he would care to see them.
§ Mr. STANIERasked the Parliamentary Secretary whether he can give the number of cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Russia, Germany, and France during the year 1910, and also up to date during the present year?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe latest information with regard to Russia shows that in October last foot-and-mouth disease existed in 1,039 communes, and that many thousands of animals had been attacked. In Germany there were, in February last, 8,513 infected places, including premises in which the disease was suspected to exist, in 2,564 parishes. In France the official returns show that no case of the disease occurred in 1910, but we were informed last month that the disease existed in the arrondissement of Dieppe, and we have reason to believe that it has now made its appearance elsewhere. We are in communication with the French Ministry of Agriculture with a view to obtain further information on the subject.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTWas the outbreak in France prior to the outbreak in Surrey?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThere is no connection traced between the two places.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked whether, in order to trace the cause of the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey, in view of the germs of the disease being impossible, microscopically, to identify, hay, straw, chaff, and other feeding stuffs of foreign origin are being fed to healthy animals, or how otherwise, if at all, attempts are being made by the Board to find out the origin of the outbreak?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYIn the opinion of the Board's veterinary advisers it would be extremely undesirable to adopt the suggestion of the hon. Member. The fullest investigation whence feeding stuffs and fodder came from has been made.