§ Mr. STANIERI beg to ask the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture a question, of which I have given him private notice: Whether he can give any information as to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Hounslow?
§ Sir EDWARD STRACHEYSince yesterday the disease has spread amongst the animals on the infected place. Several more pigs are stated to be showing symptoms of the disease, and, in addition, two heifers were found to be showing clinical symptoms of the disease in its earlier stages, and were killed yesterday. The valuation of the stock about to be slaughtered was completed yesterday, and the slaughter and disposal of the animals is commencing to-day. Owing to the fact 1146 that the burial of the animals is impossible on this farm on account of the nearness of the water to the surface, it will be necessary to remove the carcases of the slaughtered animals for cremation at an adjoining destructor. This will be done in water-tight carts that have been procured for the purpose. No further reports of foot-and-mouth disease have been received from this or any other district. A house-to-home veterinary examination of the stock in the immediate vicinity of the infected premises will commence to-day.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTHas the Board succeeded in tracing the cause of the outbreak?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYNo, Sir.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTWill the Board, in order to trace the origin of the disease, take steps to feed to sound animals oats and straw known to have been imported from an infected country.
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI should like to have notice of that question.
§ Mr. O'SHAUGHNESSYHas the cause of the disease been found out?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYAt present the cause is unknown.