§ 82. Major RUGGLES-BRISEasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the Order of the Minister, dated 5th January, 1923 (No. 1234), under which any power conferred upon a local authority under the Diseases of Animals Acts, 1894 to 1914, may now be exercised by the Minister or any inspector of the Ministry, he is aware of the fears of the local authorities that confusion may arise; and if he will state to what extent and under what circumstances it is the intention of the Minister to exercise such power?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe reply to the first part is in the negative. The Order in question merely confers on inspectors of the Ministry, as representing the central authority, similar powers to those possessed by veterinary inspectors of local authorities under the Diseases of Animals Acts. In a recent ease of suspected foot-and-mouth disease, in which it was considered necessary immediately to prohibit all local movement of stock, it was found that, in the absence of the inspector of the local authority, the Ministry's inspector had no power to act. It is intended that the powers conferred by the Order shall be exercised in cases of this kind, and it is not proposed to curtail the powers possessed by officers of local authorities.
Lieut.-Colonel MURRAYDoes not that give an inspector of the Ministry the same power as the local authorities have, and will the right hon. Gentleman see that there is no confusion between the two?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThat is just what the question asks. It does.