§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in the opinion of the Board's scientific advisers, the importation from infected countries of the offals of fresh milk, of fresh-killed veal calves in their hides, or of peat moss litter, are possible causes of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease; and whether any of these, or of foreign hay used for packing purposes, have been recently upon the premises of the outbreak of this disease at Hounslow?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe answer to first part of the question is in the affirmative; and to the second in the negative.
§ Mr. STANIERIs it a fact that peat moss litter from other countries has been used on these particular farms?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI have already informed the hon. Gentleman the Member for South Wilts that it has not been used.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture, whether, in view of the ultra-microscopic character of the bacillus of foot-and-mouth disease, and the consequent impossibility of ascertaining its presence in hay, straw, oats, peat moss, or other species of food or litter by scientific examination and analysis, the Board will consider the advisability of the feeding to 9 healthy animals of such articles, if found on infected premises and known or believed to have been imported from infected countries, in order to trace the source of the disease; and, if not, whether, in the opinion of the Board's expert advisers, there is any objection to the adoption of this course?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe Board have considered the suggestion of the hon. Member, and on the advice of their Chief veterinary officer are not prepared to authorise such experiments.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs the hon. Baronet aware that with the single exception as far as I am aware, of the chief veterinary officer of the Board, all the leading veterinary professors advocate this course being adopted?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI cannot dwell upon that—as to whether it is correct or not. Naturally the Board rely on the advice of their chief veterinary officer.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he has any fresh communication to make in reference to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Hounslow; whether he can confirm the reported outbreak of the disease on another farm four miles away from the site of the original outbreak; and whether any connection has been traced between these two outbreaks?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYSince Saturday there has been no further outbreak of this disease. The slaughter of the animals on the three infected farms had been completed on Saturday morning, and disinfection is proceeding. The answer to the second and last part of the question is in the affirmative.