§ 68. Sir CHARLES CAYZERasked the Secretary of State for the Colonies how long, as the result of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Jamaica, the live stock of farmers in the island have been kept in quarantine; whether he has received any evidence to show that the disease was introduced into the island by cattle which were imported and sold by Government agents; whether he is aware that this outbreak and the consequent period of quarantine has caused hardship and loss in the island; and whether he can now state what compensation the Government are proposing to grant to the victims of this outbreak?
Mr. THOMASQuarantine in the areas affected, which comprised three parishes and a portion of a fourth, was first declared in September, 1922, and, with the exception of a short interval towards the end of 1923, has been maintained, with modifications, since that date. The point raised in the second part of the question is dealt with in detail in the recent report of the local Commission, a copy of which is being placed in the Library of the House. As regards the rest of the question, the outbreak has necessarily been attended by hardship and loss. The Colonial Government has had the question of compensation under consideration, but no definite proposals have yet reached me.
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GORECan the right hon. Gentleman state whether the outbreak has now entirely ceased?