66. Major GEORGE DAVIESasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can give the House any information regarding the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Blandford, Dorset; whether the disease is spreading in that district; and whether the outbreak has been traced to its source?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. R. Smith)The first intimation 1520 the Ministry received of any cattle disease in Dorset was a request from Mr. E. Whitley Baker, M.R.C.V.S., on Friday, 11th July, for a consultation with one of the Ministry's inspectors in connection with two sows on the premises of Captain Martin, Heathfield, Broadstone. Foot-and-mouth disease was first confirmed in the county on Monday, 14th July, and up to date the total number of outbreaks confirmed is 11. The only spread of disease has been from local infection, but no origin of the first outbreak has been obtained.