§ 31. Mr. HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, during the present visit to this country of Dominion Ministers, he is arranging for the resumption of the export of pedigree stock to these Dominions either from England as a whole or from districts which can he certified as free from disease?
Mr. GUINNESSIf the present improvement in the position with regard to foot-and-mouth disease is maintained, I propose to approach the Dominion Governments on this subject, but I think it would he premature to do so at the present moment.
§ Mr. HURDMay I ask whether at the present moment it would not be desirable to put forward the suggestion that there should be two quarantine stations near the ports, one in the North and one in the South, to which animals for export could be sent for a sufficient period to ensure freedom from disease.
Mr. GUINNESSAs the hon. Gentleman is aware, there used to be a quarantine station at the Government expense, and, with the approval of the Breed societies, it was abolished. We are now discussing the possibility of re-establishing quarantine facilities at the expense of the people who use them, and when the arrangements are complete we will approach the Dominion Governments.