§ Mr. COURTHOPEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether His Majesty's Government will carry out the recommendation of the Departmental Committee on swine fever and of the Royal Commission on Local Taxation, that the cost of administration of the swine fever orders should be borne by the Exchequer?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman)As I explained to the hon. Member for the Newport Division of Shropshire on Monday, the recommendation of the Royal Commission on Local Taxation which was embodied in the Report of the Departmental Committee refers only to the expenses incurred by the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries. The payment out of the Exchequer of administrative expenses incurred by local authorities in the discharge of their statutory duties would 1187 obviously be attended with many difficulties, and no proposals of this character are included in the Committee's Report.
§ Mr. COURTHOPEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether Section 6 of the Swine Fever Order of 1911 secures the sufficient disinfection of persons who handle swine in markets, fairs, and sale yards; and, if not, whether he will so amend the order that this precaution may be taken?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe order does not provide for the disinfection of persons who handle swine, other than castrators, and it would be very difficult to devise or enforce effective provisions for the purpose. I shall, however, be glad to give the matter further consideration when the final Report of the Departmental Committee is received.