§ 35. Colonel DAYasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of cases of foot-and-mouth disease that have been notified in England and Wales from 1st January to the last convenient date, and the separate areas in which these cases have been notified?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)From 1st January to 7th May, 1927, inclusive, 23 outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed in England and Wales in eight separate districts. I will circulate details in the OFFICIAL REPORT.
Captain CROOKSHANKMay I ask if these satisfactory figures are largely due to the embargo on the importation of foreign meat?
§ Mr. GUINNESSThere is strong evidence that they are due to the embargo, and I may as well tell the House, that we are now for the second time this year free from all local restrictions in the matter of foot-and-mouth disease. No recent case has been notified.
§ Following are the details referred to:
§ estimated that the income upon which repayment of Income Tax was made in England and Wales in 1926–27 on account of (a) farm losses, or (b) the actual income falling short of the amount assessed, was approximately £1,600,000.