§ Mr. STANIERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether the Board was making special inquiries into the cause of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Surrey; and, if the cause had not been found out, if he would appoint an inquiry?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYEvery possible inquiry is being made by the officers of the Board with a view to ascertain the cause of the outbreak in question, but so far without any definite result.
§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTAre the officials of the Board feeding suspected forage found on the infected premises to healthy animals, or how otherwise are they attempting to trace the cause of the outbreak?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYI must have notice of that question.
Mr. SYKESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he had recently received a resolution passed by the Cheshire Chamber of Agriculture on the subject of foot-and-mouth disease; and, if so, whether he was prepared to adopt all, or any, of the four precautionary measures enumerated in that resolution?
§ Sir E. STRACHEYThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. I have carefully considered the suggestions made by the Cheshire Chamber, but I am advised that any advantage 1312 gained by their adoption would not be at all equal to the loss and disturbance of trade which would arise in consequence.