§ 29. Captain MURRAYasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether communications have recently passed between the Board of Agriculture and the representatives of various Foreign and Colonial Governments with a view to the admission of Soottish-bred stock into their countries; and, if so, whether he is now able to state the names of the foreign countries and British Colonies that are prepared to open their ports to Scottish bred stock?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman)No formal representations on this subject have yet been addressed to Foreign and Colonial Governments, but the matter has been the subject of informal conversations, and now that the position with regard to disease has still further improved I propose to take official action.
§ 32. Mr. HARRY HOPEasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, considering that injury will be done to the agricultural industry in Scotland if Irish store cattle are not available for the consumption of the turnip crop and also that unless the cattle courts are stocked with store cattle a shortage of beef must result, he will take steps to allow store cattle to be brought over from healthy districts in Ireland and landed at a Scottish port?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI understand that the Glasgow local authority are now willing to consider the possibility of providing accommodation for the landing of Irish store cattle under the conditions prescribed in the case of Birkenhead and Deptford, and I have instructed an inspector to confer with them at once on the subject.
34. Major HENDERSONasked how many outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease there have been in England, Scotland, and Wales, respectively, since 1st June of this year; what number of animals have been affected, the number destroyed, and what sum of money has been paid or is due for compensation?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANEighty-one outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in England since the 1st June last, and one in Wales. Six hundred and two animals have been found to be affected, and 8,516 animals have been destroyed, for which an aggregate sum of £56,099 has been or will be paid.