§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked what was the number of cases of anthrax in animals occurring in 1911, and how these compare with those occurring in 1909 and 1910 respectively?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe figures for 1909 and 1910 are not comparable with those for 1911. Prior to 1911 the Returns included all cases reported by local authorities to the Board as Anthrax. The figures for 1911 include only those cases in which the presence of the disease has been confirmed by the veterinary staff of the Board. One thousand three hundred and seventeen cases were reported in 1909, and 1,465 in 1910. Nine hundred and eight cases were confirmed in 1911.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTCan the right hon. Gentleman take some steps that would enable us to compare the figures of outbreaks for 1910 with those of 1911?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am afraid that for the reasons I have suggested it would not be possible for us to do so. In 1911 the veterinary staff confirmed the cases, so we know definitely what the numbers were.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Home Secretary (1) how many cases of anthrax among human beings occurred in 1911; and how this number compared with those 277 occurring in 1909 and 1910 respectively; and (2) how many cases during the period of increased prevalence of anthrax among British farm animals in 1911 human anthrax was traceable to contact with such animals or their carcases or skins; and whether such cases were in excess of those occurring in 1910?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Mr. McKenna)The Home Office is only notified of cases of anthrax occurring in factories and workshops. The number of such cases in 1909 was 56; in 1910, 51; in 1911, 64. Of these two in 1910 and one in 1911 were reported to be due to British hides. The Local Government Board, whom I have consulted as to the number of other cases of anthrax, inform me that there are no complete statistics, anthrax in human beings not being generally notifiable, but that the industrial cases referred to above apparently constitute the large majority.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs it not desirable to show by some Government statistics the relation between human anthrax and animal anthrax in view of the large increase of anthrax among farm animals during the last twelve months?
§ Mr. McKENNAI was unable to catch the hon. Gentleman's question, there is so much noise.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTI will give notice.