HC Deb 08 March 1922 vol 151 cc1281-3
84. Major WHELER

asked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement as to the number of districts in the country where foot-and-mouth disease is prevalent; and what are the prospects of any relaxation of the restrictions now in force?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)

Outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred since the 23rd January last in 30 counties in England and Wales and 12 counties in Scotland. With my hon. Friend's permission I will have them set out in the OFFICIAL REPORT. The restrictions which were applied to the whole of Great Britain on 5th February were withdrawn as from the 6th instant from the whole of the northern half of Scotland an^ from the southwestern counties of England and from South Wales. I hope that it may be possible shortly further to modify the restrictions in force in North Wales and in the southern counties of England.

Major WHELER

Has the right hon. Gentleman reports as to the conditions in Yorkshire and other districts, and is there likely to be any withdrawal or modification of the restrictions?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I am very much afraid the state of affairs in Yorkshire is worse than almost any other part of the country, and I cannot hold out any immediate hope of the withdrawal of the restrictions.

Captain REDMOND

Has any case of foot-and-mouth disease yet been discovered in Ireland?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

I am not aware of any.

Captain REDMOND

If that be the case, what is the reason for the detention of animals arriving at English ports from Ireland?

Sir A. BOSCAWEN

The answer is simply this, that all movement of stores has been stopped all over England, and there is no special rule applying to Irish stores.

Captain REDMOND

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that three weeks ago a cargo of pigs was detained at Holyhead, and that since then they have had to be slaughtered, and no action has been taken to prevent this?

Mr. SPEAKER

The hon. and gallant Member should put that question down.

Mr. DEVLIN

Will the Minister of Agriculture take steps to keep Irish cattle free from English infection?

Following in the Return of Outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease:

England and Wales.

  1. (1) The County of Durham and Southeast half of Northumberland.
  2. (2) The Carlisle district of Cumberland.
  3. (3) The Southern part of Westmorland.
  4. (4) The greater part of the three Ridings of Yorkshire and parts of the adjoining counties of Lindsey, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire.
  5. (5) Lancashire south of Garstang, Cheshire, and the adjoining parts of Salop, Staffordshire and Denbighshire.
  6. (6) The Norwich district of Norfolk.
  7. (7) Isolated areas in Suffolk, Essex, London, Kent, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Buckingham, Cambridgeshire, Hampshire, Middlesex, Kesteven (Lines.), Surrey, Sussex, East and Warwickshire.

Scotland,

  1. (1) Renfrewshire, and the adjoining part of Lanarkshire and Dumbartonshire.
  2. (2) Midlothian.
  3. (3 The Dundee district of Forfarshire and adjoining parts of Perthshire.
  4. (4) The Kircaldy district of Fifeshire.
  5. (5) Isolated areas in Berwickshire, Dumfriesshire, Stirlingshire, Kinross and Linlithgow.

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