§ 61. Mr. FIELDasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what reason was alleged for the Order made by the Wessex County Council prohibiting the admission of Irish live stock; whether he is aware that there has not been any foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland since July, 1914, and only one case of anthrax in two years, and further that the number of swine fever and sheep-scab cases have seriously diminished; and whether, in view of these facts, he will have the restriction Order abrogated?
§ Mr. ACLANDI understand that the West Sussex County Council made the Regulations referred to because they surmised that the Somerset and district outbreak might have been due to the landing of Irish animals at Bristol. The Department are well aware of the fact that Ireland is and has for a long time been free from foot-and-mouth disease, and they have made certain representations to the West Sussex County Council in regard to this matter.
§ Mr. FIELDAm I to understand that Ireland is to be boycotted on the mere surmise of a county council? Is there no power to stop it?
§ Mr. ACLANDThere is power to prevent it, and where it is necessary the Board will exercise that power. It is not fair to Ireland that anything should be done under suspicion that foot-and-mouth disease exists there when it does not.