§ 55. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that on each of the last three occasions upon which a recrudescence of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred in the United Kingdom the embargo placed by Argentina and other foreign importing countries upon British livestock had been removed for less than ten days, and in consequence no such stock had reached such countries prior to the reimposition of such embargo; and whether the Board are considering the possibility of such occurrence being due to some cause other than mere coincidence?
§ Mr. GULLANDThe answer to both parts of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs the hon. Gentleman aware that there is a growing impression amongst agriculturists that foot-and-mouth disease germs are being deliberately imported into this country from abroad?
§ Mr. GULLANDPerhaps the hon. Member will put a question to my right hon. Friend.
§ Mr. BURGOYNEIs the embargo imposed by Argentina put on on account of the unreasonable manner in which we impose the embargo on live cattle for slaughter?
§ 57. Mr. LANE-FOXasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can see his way, consistently with the public interest, to allow fat cattle to be brought for immediate slaughter into Selby?
§ Mr. GULLANDAn Order is in preparation which will allow animals to be moved for slaughter into a zone which includes Selby. If nothing unforeseen occurs, it is proposed that it should be brought into operation at the beginning of next week.
§ 58. Mr. ROWNTREEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he can now sanction the entering of fat cattle into the city of York for immediate slaughter from unscheduled areas?
§ 59. Mr. BUTCHERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he has yet found it possible, consistently with the public interest, to issue an Order sanctioning the entry of fat cattle into the city of York under licences for immediate slaughter; and, if such an Order has not yet been issued, whether he hopes to issue such Order on an early day?
§ Mr. GULLANDAn Order will be issued to-day modifying the restrictions applicable to the city of York and the surrounding area which will have the effect of allowing the holding of fat stock markets.
§ Mr. BUTCHERWill that Order take effect to-day in view of the great importance of holding a fat stock auction in the city of York on Tuesday next?
§ Mr. GULLANDI understand it is hoped to bring the Order into operation 671 on Monday—this applies to the Selby one also—at any rate, so far as York market is concerned, in time for the market on Tuesday.