§ 65. Mr. WHITEasked the Minister of Agriculture if there have been any further outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease during the month of July?
Mr. SMITHFrom 1st to 29th July inclusive, 68 outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in 15 English counties.
§ Mr. G. SPENCERAre any of these new cases due in any sense to the imperfect information given by the Royal Agricultural Society to Farmers, who sent their cattle and afterwards were prosecuted?
§ Sir F. WISEHave any of these new cases been certified as coming from any foreign country?
Marquess of TITCHFIELDCan the hon. Gentleman see his way to rescind the order for slaughter of these animals affected with foot-and-mouth disease, as in my own county and many others—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThat is not relevant to the question.
§ 67. Mr. DODDSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the continued dissatisfaction of the dairy-stock holders in Cheshire with regard to the different rates of compensation paid before and after December, 1923, in respect of stock slaughtered in consequence of foot-and-mouth disease; whether he has any evidence that the compensation paid in the earlier period has generally proved adequate for restocking with cattle of equal quality to the cattle slaughtered; and whether, with a view to allaying the discontent and sense of injustice existing in Cheshire, he will 2240 allow the list of payments made for slaughtered cattle to be inspected on behalf of the interested parties?
Mr. SMITHI have already dealt fully with the points raised by the hon. Member in answers to questions he put on the 3rd and 24th June, and as the settlements reached cannot be reopened, no useful purpose would be served by allowing the list of payments to be inspected.
§ Mr. DODDSWill the hon. Gentleman receive a deputation from the Cheshire Chamber of Agriculture, and have information put before him?
Mr. SMITHIf the Chamber of Agriculture will communicate with me, I will consider their communication.