§ 13. Mr. C. BATHURSTasked whether, in view of the fact that out of a total Grant from the Treasury of £60,000 per annum, payable by way of compensation to stock owners for the slaughter of bovine animals deemed to be tuberculous, and slaughtered in the interests of public health, a sum of less than £5,000 has been expended during the last nine months; and, in view of the increasing charges thrown upon ratepayers in connection with the administration of the Tuberculosis Order, 1913, he will represent to the Treasury the advisability and fairness of applying a small portion of the unexpended balance of the Treasury Grant towards defraying such administrative expenses?
§ Mr. HERBERT LEWISIn the absence of trustworthy data as to the prevalence of tuberculosis in cattle the estimate of £60,000 per annum was necessarily quite conjectural, and, as events have proved, was excessive; but the expenses incurred by local authorities in the administration of the Tuberculosis Order during the current financial year have correspondingly been much lower than was anticipated. In these circumstances my right hon. Friend does not consider himself justified in adopting the hon. Member's suggestion.