§ 21. Viscount SANDONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that in a recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Brewood, Staffordshire, the owner moved 19 cattle on to the infected farm immediately after the disease had been confirmed, thus infringing the provisions of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease Order; that these 19 cattle had in consequence to be slaughtered on account of their being brought into contact with infection on the farm; and whether compensation out of public funds will be paid to the owner for these cattle?
Mr. GUINNESSThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The value of the 19 cattle for the purpose of compensation was estimated at £268. Power is given to the Minister by Sub- 12 section (7) of Section 20 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, to withhold either wholly or partially compensation in respect of an animal slaughtered by his direction under the Act where the owner or person having charge thereof has in the judgment of the Minister been guilty in relation to the animal of an offence against the Act. I have exercised my power in this case and payment of the whole of the sum of £268 has been withheld.