§ 58. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, seeing that no cases of foot-and-mouth disease have occurred in the Irish Free State, he will give permission for fat stock exported from the Irish Free State and landed at British ports to be sent on licence to slaughter houses outside the landing places; and whether he can also give permission for the importation into Great Britain of Irish Free State store cattle on licence to farms and thus obviate any possibility of contact such as might occur at public markets?
§ Mr. WILLIAM WHITELEY (Lord of the Treasury)I have been asked to reply. An Order having the effect referred to in the first part of the question came into force to-day. This Order admits the landing of fat stock at approved landing places from any part of Ireland outside County Down or the City of Belfast for removal on licence to inland slaughterhouses in Great Britain for slaughter within 10 days. The other matter mentioned by the hon. and gallant Member is being kept in mind but no statement can be made at present.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYCan the hon. Gentleman say when it will be possible to make a statement?
§ Mr. WHITELEYThe Minister is making all inquiries and will make a statement as soon as possible.
§ 59. Colonel HOWARD-BURYasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has traced the origin of the latest outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease?
§ Mr. WHITELEYExtensive inquiries have been made into the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease amongst swine at West Wycombe, Buckinghamshire, but its origin has not been traced so far.
§ Colonel HOWARD-BURYSeeing that in many of these cases the infection arises from foreign straw, can the hon. Gentleman not prohibit altogether the import of straw, whether packing straw or other- 459 wise? That has been done in the Irish Free State with great success for some years.
§ Mr. WHITELEYI will make a note of the hon. and gallant Gentleman's suggestion and convey it to my right hon. Friend.