§ 29. Mr. DAYasked the Minister of Agriculture the amount of money that has been expended in compensation for stock destroyed under the foot-and-mouth disease orders for the six months ended to the last convenient date?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)The amount of compensation paid in respect of stock destroyed on account of foot-and-mouth disease for the six months ended 24th March was £151,437.
§ Mr. GUINNESSYes, in that period 14,200 animals were destroyed.
§ Sir ROBERT SANDERSMay I ask from what fund that money is provided?
§ Mr. GUINNESSIt is provided out of the Cattle pleuro-pneumonia account—but it is a very complicated financial transaction.
Commander WILLIAMSIs my right hon. Friend really satisfied that for the great amount of money which is being spent he is getting the best possible means of protecting the herds of this country against foot-and-mouth disease; and are adequate precautions taken to prevent infection coming in from abroad?
§ Mr. GUINNESSIt is impossible to get full protection, as we know from bitter experience, but two departmental committees have examined this matter, and I do not think that anybody has yet evolved any better scheme.
§ Mr. W. THORNEIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied that when this stock is condemned it is properly disposed of—is it burnt or buried or what is done with it?
§ Rear-Admiral BEAMISHHow does the sum paid in compensation during the past six months compare with the sum paid in the previous six months?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI am afraid that I could not say without notice.