§ 74. Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture how many confirmed outbreaks of swine fever have occurred in Great Britain during the first ten months of the current year; and what is the total amount of compensation paid or payable in respect thereof?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD Of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman)2,516 outbreaks of swine fever were confirmed in Great Britain during the first ten months of this year. The total sum paid 2090 during that period by way of compensation for animals slaughtered was £63,350, but the amount paid in respect of confirmed and reported cases, respectively, cannot be separately stated.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTWill the right hon. Gentleman consider, in view of the steady increase in the outbreak of this disease and the large amount of money expended on it, a review of the present method of seeking to stamp it out?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member should really give notice of that.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIt arises out of the reply.
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member asked two questions and got a full reply to them. If he wants to put further questions he should put them down.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTWith all respect Sir—
§ Mr. SPEAKERI listened attentively to the replies to the questions which were most definite questions, and they were both fully answered. If the hon. Member wishes to put further questions founded upon these replies, he should give notice of them.
§ 76. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked when the scientific investigation by or on behalf of the Departmental Committee on swine fever into the latency of infection and mode of communication of this disease will be concluded, and their final report, which has been pending for over eighteen months, be issued?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am not yet in a position to say when the Committee to-which the hon. Member refers will issue their final Report. The questions which they have to consider require prolonged investigation.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTBy your leave, Sir, I should like to ask whether the right hon. Gentleman can put on more investigators on this work, in view of their time being taken up by the foot-and-mouth disease?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe work of the Committee is being supplemented by the chief veterinary officer of the Board, who is carrying on investigations, and I believe that some of the information he has obtained is very valuable.