HC Deb 01 November 1911 vol 30 cc862-3
Mr. C. BATHURST

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in pursuance of the publicly announced intention of the late President of the Board, he proposes to appoint a Departmental Committee to inquire into the origin of the recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in various parts of the country and the best means of checking its spread?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Yes, Sir.

Mr. C. BATHURST

In view of the prevailing anxiety on the subject, will the inquiry be accelerated?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I am losing no time in dealing with the matter, and I cannot accelerate it more than I am doing now.

Sir JOHN SPEAR

asked if the right hon. Gentleman has any information as to the origin of the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Somersetshire, and as to how infection was conveyed into the county?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Careful inquiries have been made, but it has not been possible to trace the outbreak to its origin.