HC Deb 31 January 1918 vol 101 cc1748-9
77. Colonel FABER

asked the President of the Board of Agriculture if he is aware that horses with parasitic mange are constantly being sent by train and that the washing and disinfecting of the trucks used is totally inadequate; if he is aware that the disease is making strides, especially in the Midlands; and whether he proposes to take any action in the matter?

Mr. PROTHERO:

Article 7 (3) of the Parasitic Mange Order of 1911 makes it unlawful for a horse affected with parasitic mange to be sent for carriage on a railway, and the Board have no information that diseased horses are actually being carried by rail at the present time. If my hon. and gallant Friend has such informa- tion I shall be pleased if he will pass it on to the Department. We will at once bring the facts before the local authority whose duty it is to administer the Order.

In reply to the second part of the question, it is the fact that the disease has increased in Great Britain during the past year. Two thousand six hundred and fourteen outbreaks have been reported in 1917 as against 2,147 in 1916, but the increase is not specially marked in the Midland counties. In reply to the last part, I may say that the Department is aware of the prevalence of this disease and is considering what are the best means of meeting it.

Colonel FABER

Will the right hon. Gentleman arrange to have horse trucks as well as cattle trucks lime-washed which would lead to a checking of the disease?

Mr. PROTHERO

I am much obliged for the hon. and gallant Member's suggestion, and I will bring it before the authorities.