§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that it has been recently demonstrated to the satisfaction of the French Law Courts that butter manufactured from the milk of cows suffering from foot-and-mouth disease is undistinguishable from butter adulterated with margarine; and whether, in view of the fact that this disease is raging on the Continent and is communicable to human beings, he is taking any, and, if any, what steps to prevent the importation from abroad of butter so manufactured?
§ Mr. BURNSI am aware of a report of proceedings in a French Court in which it was alleged that butter manufactured from the milk of cows suffering from foot-and-mouth disease had abnormal analytical characteristics. It appears, however, from certain subsequent experiments made in France with butter thus derived that these characteristics are not necessarily present. The available evidence as to the transmission of foot-and-mouth disease to man by means of butter suggests that the risk of such transmission is slight, and I am advised that it is not sufficient to justify drastic administrative measures in regard to the importation of butter.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the United States Senate have decided that this disease is transmittible to human beings, at any rate in the United States?