HC Deb 31 March 1919 vol 114 cc855-6
34. Lieutenant-Colonel A. MURRAY

asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to a Report to the County Council of Lanark, in which it is stated that the results of the work done under the council's scheme for the free vaccination of dairy herds in the county to prevent the spread of contagious abortion are very promising; whether he will consider the advisability of taking the necessary steps to encourage such schemes throughout the country; and whether, as a preventive measure, he will schedule contagious abortion as a notifiable disease?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I have not seen the report to which the hon. and gallant Member refers. The treatment of abortion by vaccination was initiated, and is strongly advocated by the Board, who issue the anti-abortion vaccine to any veterinary surgeon applying for it. About 30,000 doses were issued last year. The success obtained in Lanarkshire would appear to be due to the services of a whole-time veterinary inspector of the local authority, a system which results in diminished fees. The Board do not consider it desirable that contagious abortion should be made notifiable except in those cases in which the local authority have asked for this to be done.

Lieutenant-Colonel MURRAY

Can the hon. Gentleman say why the Board did not consider it desirable?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

Because without the support of the local authorities it is practically impossible to carry it out, and the results obtained so far have not been at all satisfactory.

Lieutenant-Colonel WEIGALL

Will he circulate the local authorities of the country as to whether they desire to have this made notifiable or not?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I think that has been done, but I will look into it.