§ Mr. STANIERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can give any information regarding the spreading of Johne's disease; and whether he is issuing any information to farmers to help them to guard against the disease when the disease is in their locality?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo statistics are available with regard to the spread of the disease. The disease is being carefully investigated, and I hope that the Board will soon be in a position to issue suggestions for measures of precaution against it.
§ Mr. STANIERHas the Board investigated for itself or has it left it to outside authority?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe Board's veterinary staff are investigating the matter as closely as they can, not only at their own laboratory, but also in the provinces.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTMay I ask whether, in view of the increasing number of deaths due to this disease, and the admitted ignorance of the Board's advisers, whether the right hon. Gentleman will appoint a Departmental Committee to consider it?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI do not think it is necessary. At present scientists in our service are devoting themselves to this task, and until they advance their investigations to a further stage I cannot advise the appointment of such a Committee.