§ 58. Mr. DODDSasked the Minister of Agriculture whether there is now any existing reason why the list of valuations made in connection with dairy cattle slaughtered in consequence of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease should not be open for the inspection of representatives of the dairy cattle owners in Cheshire; and whether he will give instructions that full disclosure of all the facts relative to such valuations should 2318 be made to the Cheshire Chamber of Agriculture, or other proper representatives of the dairy farmers concerned?
§ 59. Mr. DODDSasked the Minister of Agriculture at what date the form of agreement, put before the dairy cattle owners on the occasion of the fixing the valuation of such cattle slaughtered consequent on the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, first contained a Clause by which the owner explicitly declared himself to accept the price so fixed; what was the form of such Clause; whether it was inserted in the body of the agreement; and whether it was invariably adopted after any specific date?
Mr. SMITHWith regard to the first two parts of the question, from 1892 to. 1923 the form of agreement contained the following Clause: "I accept the above valuation," under which the owner placed his signature. Twelve months ago the form was amplified by the insertion of:
At the same time, a revised owner's acceptance Clause was introduced in these terms:
- (a) an explanatory note stating the basis of the payment of compensation laid down by Section 15 of the Diseases of Animals Act. 1894, and
- (b) of a note addressed to the owner of the animals warning him that it was open to him to dispute the valuation if he desired, in which case the valuation would be referred to an arbitrator.
I have read the above explanatory note, and agree to the valuation placed on each of the animals as shown.
§ Mr. DODDSIs that term "twelve months ago" a general one, or does it mean June, 1922, prior to the outbreak?