§ 79 and 82. Captain Sir GEORGE BOWYERasked the Minister of Health (1) whether he will adopt the suggestion made by Lord Dawson of Penn that an embargo be placed upon the importation of all parrots for a reasonable period, in view of the danger of a spread of parrot disease;
(2) whether he has received notice of the warning of an epidemic of parrot disease which was given last week by the doctor at the inquest on Miss Rogers, who died from psittacosis; and what steps the Ministry of Health are taking to assist in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease?
§ Mr. GREENWOODI have seen a newspaper report of the inquest on this case. The steps which have been and are being taken by my Department in this matter are summarised in a memorandum which has recently been issued to local authorities and is now on sale. I will send the hon. Member a copy. The question whether it is desirable to place any restrictions on the importation of parrots is under consideration, but I am not at present satisfied that such measures are necessary for the protection of the public health.
§ Mr. SEXTONWill the right hon. Gentleman consider extending the embargo to question time in this House?