§ 12. Mr. STANIERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether Mr. Peter Shakeshaft, of Cold Hatton, near 14 Wellington, Salop, has yet had his farm declared free from swine fever; and will he explain why there has been such a long period of time between the last case of examination of the pigs and the farm being declared free of the disease?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe farm to which the hon. Member refers cannot be declared free from swine fever until all the pigs have been disposed of and the premises disinfected. Pigs still remaining will be slaughtered to-day and to-morrow, and the premises will then be disinfected. There has been no delay whatever on the part of the Board.
§ Mr. STANIERMay I ask the right hon. Gentleman if he doss not consider seven months rather a long period between the last slaughter and this present one?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have gone into the details of this, and there has certainly been no delay on the part of the Board. The utmost expedition has been shown.