§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether, in view of the prompt and drastic measures always taken by the Board of Agriculture upon the occurrence of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease to isolate the area in which it occurs, the large trade in pedigree stock carried on between this country and Argentina, and the constant prevalence of the disease in the latter country, he would approach the Argentine Government with the object of limiting its restrictions upon the importation of British stock to animals coming from the actual area which had been scheduled as infected by the Board instead of extending them to the whole country?
Mr. McKINNON WOODForeign Governments are only approached on such matters by His Majesty's Government on the suggestion of the Board of Agriculture, and I would suggest that the hon. Member should address himself in the first place to the President of the Board, or his representative in this House.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTHas not the Board of Agriculture already approached the Foreign Office with a view to taking steps?
Mr. McKINNON WOODI think the hon. Gentleman will recollect that in reply to a question I informed him some time ago that representations had been made to the Argentine Government, but as he is aware a new situation has arisen lately.
Mr. HAMILTON BENNIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that there has been no foot-and-mouth disease in some provinces in the Argentina, and that those provinces are much larger than the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of that question.