§ 68. Mr. LARDNERasked whether the four counties originally scheduled are still under restrictions; and, if not, will he now state what area is at present scheduled; and when he proposes to finally revoke the Order scheduling this area?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Department have issued a new Order (The Mid) Leinster Foot-and-Mouth-Disease Order, 1912 (No. 2), reducing the area scheduled under the previous Order to a district comprising the administrative county of Dublin, the county borough of Dublin, and part of the administrative county of Meath. No statement can at present be made as to when it will be feasible finally to revoke the Order now in operation.
§ Mr. LARDNERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he is in a position to make any statement as to the prosecutions within this area?
§ Mr. RUSSELLI am afraid if I were to attempt to make a general statement I should trench upon the time of the House.
§ 69. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked what is the result, if any, of the inquiry of his Department into the origin of the original outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease on premises at Swords, in county Dublin; and whether any proceedings have been or are about to be taken, under Sections 4 and 52 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, against the person or persons occupying or working upon the said premises, who, although knowing of the existence of the disease, failed to notify it to the 980 local authorities with all practicable speed?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThe Department's inquiries as to the the origin of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Swords are not yet completed. The Law Officers have now advised that proceedings should be taken against the person who was in charge of the cattle first found affected, and proceedings are being instituted accordingly.