§ 39. Lieutenant-Colonel WEIGALLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the present prevalence of contagious abortion amongst cattle herds in this country, immediate steps can be taken to set up a Committee to investigate and report?
Sir A. BOSCAWENA Committee appointed by the Board in 1905 dealt very exhaustively with the subject in all its 12 aspects and the Reports of this Committee are available. I do not think that any useful purpose would be served by further inquiry.
§ Lieutenant-Colonel WEIGALLIn view of the evidence given by Sir Stewart Stockman before the Committee on Production and Distribution of Milk within the last three months has not the position so altered as to demand further inquiry?
Sir A. BOSCAWENNo. I am informed that though the complaint in question has got worse in certain districts it is better in others. There is no evidence that it is really worse in the aggregate than it was.
§ Lieutenant-Colonel WEIGALLIs my hon. Friend aware that the evidence before the Committee was to the effect that 40 per cent. of the herds of this country were now suffering from it?
Sir A. BOSCAWENEvery step is being taken to act on the original Report and to make the recommendations known to farmers.