§ Mr. JOWETTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether straw, if bound with string to give it the appearance of manufactured straw, is considered by the Board to be manufactured straw which may be imported into Great Britain from countries where foot-and-mouth disease is known to be prevalent; if straw so bound from such countries is after importation sold without restrictions being placed upon it as to the uses to which it may be applied otherwise than for thatching buildings and by saddlers for the purposes of their trade; and whether, in consequence, the object sought to be gained by the prohibition of straw from areas in which foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent is seriously endangered?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Sir E. Strachey)It rests with the officers of Customs to determine whether in any particular case hay or straw should be allowed to be landed with or without a licence of the Board under Article 2 of the Foreign Hay and Straw Order, 1908. The Board propose to communicate with the Customs on the particular question to which the hon. Member refers, and in the meantime I should be obliged if he would give me any information which he may have received with respect to it.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTHow is it possible to prevent straw of this character, which 1344 is exempted from the restriction order of 1908, being used for litter or being fed to cattle?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI can only inform my hon. Friend that I am inquiring into the matter, and I should be very glad if he will also confer with me.
§ Mr. STANIERWhen the Board of Agriculture made this Order, did they mean straw of this quality to be allowed to come into this country?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI have already said we are considering this question.