§ Major ELLIOTasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is now in a position to make any further statement with regard to the Standstill Order o n foot-and-mouth disease, particularly as regards Scotland?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Dr. Addison)If no outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease occurs in the meantime outside the existing infected areas, I propose to issue a further Order, the effect of which will be to remove the rest of Great Britain from the operation of 1606 the Standstill Order as from midday tomorrow, the 4th instant. This, however, will in no way affect Orders which are in operation in respect of the infected areas.
Information received from the Governments of Northern Ireland and the Irish Free State indicates that as a result of the fullest investigation, there is no evidence to show that infection has been conveyed outside the infected area of County Down, the whole of which has been subject to restrictions prohibiting the movement of animals therefrom since 19th June. Subject to this position remaining unaltered, I propose issuing an Order to operate from midnight tomorrow, the 4th instant, permitting the landing of fat stock from any part of Ireland outside the existing scheduled area for slaughter within 96 hours at certain landing places—Glasgow, Holy-head, Birkenhead and Cardiff.
§ Major ELLIOTWith regard to the freeing of a large part of Great Britain after midday to-morrow, if no further outbreak occurs, would it be possible for the right hon. Gentleman to notify the local authorities of his intention to-day, because after midday on Saturday it will be difficult for the local authorities to get out the necessary orders?
§ Dr. ADDISONYes, that is being done to-day.