HC Deb 19 March 1925 vol 181 cc2470-1
71. Major WHELER

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he proposes to take any action on the Report of the Departmental Committee on Foot-and-Mouth Disease in 1923 in cases where the Report shows negligence in reporting outbreaks by owners or carelessness by professional men employed in dealing with cases?

Mr. WOOD

My Department has already communicated with local authorities in cases of negligence by inspectors appointed by such authorities, and in a number of cases owners have been prosecuted for failure to report. The recommendations of the Departmental Committee are now receiving my consideration.

Mr. SPENCER

Is not the question of carelessness one rather of inference than of fact? I am referring to the recent Blackpool case.

Mr. WOOD

I should not like to express an opinion about that without notice.