§ 80. Major GLYNasked the Minister of Transport whether Article 22 of the Animals (Transport and General) Amendment Order, 1924, referring to the use of vans and floats for animals suspected of disease, has been made applicable to road vehicles used for the conveyance of animals to auction marts; and whether, in consultation with the Minister of Agriculture, he is prepared to have an immediate inquiry made as to the possible danger that exists, through lack of the necessary supervision, of causing the spread of foot-and-mouth disease by the indiscriminate use of such vehicles?
§ The MINISTER of TRANSPORT (Colonel Ashley)I am of opinion that Article 22 of the Order is applicable to any road vehicle used for the conveyance of animals to auction marts, if such vehicle has carried a diseased or suspected animal. As regards the latter part of the question, I would refer to the reply given on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture to my hon. Friend on the 3rd December as to the powers of the Inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture and the police to stop and examine vehicles used for the transit of animals in infected areas (OFFICIAL REPORT, Column 2571). I have no reason to suppose that any inquiry into the matter is necessary or desirable.
§ 81. Major GLYNasked the Minister of Transport whether, with regard to the Regulations issued by his Department regarding the conveyance by road by motor vehicles of stock to auction marts, any special licence has to be taken out by the owners of such vehicles; and whether farm hands in charge of the stock which travel by these vehicles necessitate the owners of the vehicles taking out the ordinary licence required before passengers can be carried in a hired vehicle?
§ Colonel ASHLEYFor taxation purposes, motor vans, floats and similar vehicles used for the conveyance of stock to auction marts are licensed as commercial goods vehicles under paragraph 5 16 of the Second Schedule to the Finance Act, 1920, and, so far as I am aware, no special licence has to be taken out. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ 82. Major GLYNasked the Minister of Transport if he will state what is the total number of licences taken out since the 1st January to 31st October of this year for motor vehicles specially equipped for conveyance of live stock traffic on the public highway; and whether any special licence for the carrying of live stock is required under the existing Regulations?
§ Colonel ASHLEYThe statistics furnished by the licensing authorities do not distinguish between motor vehicles specially equipped for the conveyance of livestock and other types of motor vehicles used for the conveyance of goods in the course of trade, and I am, therefore, unable to furnish my hon. Friend with the figures required. The answer to the second part of the question is in the negative.
§ 31. Sir HENRY CAUTLEYasked the Minister of Agriculture what is the basis of calculation upon which the, comparison is made between the cost to this country, over any period of time, which is incurred from foot-and-mouth disease under the system of slaughter adopted by the Ministry, and the loss to foreign countries by the different methods which they adopt?
Mr. GUINNESSIt is estimated that the average loss per head of cattle affected by foot-and-mouth disease amounts to approximately £5 per head, taking into account mortality, loss of flesh and milk and failure of calves. In France in the year 1919–20 it is reported that some 855,000 cattle were affected, making a total loss of approaching £5 millions. No definite figures are available of the numbers of animals affected in foreign countries recently, but the extent of the disease may be judged from the fact that in Holland alone approximately 20,000 outbreaks occurred during the last three months.
§ Sir H. CAUTLEYAre there no comparable figures of the cost of the system in France and the cost of the system adopted in this country?
Mr. GUINNESSThe cost of the system adopted in France is thrown upon the farmer, whereas the policy here is largely paid for out of the Exchequer, and I do not think that any comparative figures are available.