§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked whether, in view of the admission by the Board that statistics and reports relating to foot-and-mouth disease from foreign countries are not always complete and are frequently of a belated nature any steps have been, or are being, taken to ensure that reports of outbreaks of this disease abroad shall be promptly made to His 510 Majesty's consuls and forthwith transmitted to the Board?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, Sir. At the request of the Board a circular letter on the subject has been recently issued by the Foreign Office to His Majesty's representatives in foreign countries.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTAre the communications received from abroad on this subject transmitted to the right hon. Gentleman's Department?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, Sir. I have arranged that information relating to outbreaks in countries from which cattle may be imported shall be sent to the Board of Agriculture direct by telegraph. In the case of other countries there is not the same urgency, but communications will be made direct.