76. Captain TERRELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Ministry of Agriculture whether he can state the European countries in which foot-and-mouth disease still exists; whether any conclusion has been reached as to how it was last imported into this country; and when the Government Committee considering causes, prevention, and cure is expected to report?
Sir A. BOSCAWENAccording to the latest information in the possession of the Ministry, there is reason to believe that foot-and-mouth disease exists, or has recently existed, in every country of Europe, with the probable exceptions of 401 Norway, Sweden and Denmark. Many of the returns are, however, not of recent date, and no records of any kind are available in the ease of Russia and nine other European countries. In spite of every inquiry, the origin of disease in the recent outbreaks remains obscure.
The Committee of Scientists to which my hon. and gallant Friend refers has only recently been appointed, and it is probable, in view of the difficult nature of the problem, that its investigation will occupy a considerable period. It is, therefore, impossible to indicate at what date a report will be presented.