§ 79. Major CARVERasked the Minister of Agriculture if his Department has investigated the possibility of foot-and-mouth disease in this country being due to the importation of Continental vegetables; and, if so, what is the result of such investigation?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir John Gilmour)Inquiries are made into the source of infection in every outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease. While it is, of course, possible that the disease may be introduced by imports of vegetables, or of other commodities, in no case has it been established that infection was definitely attributable to the importation of Continental vegetables, and no evidence has yet been forthcoming which would justify the prohibition of such imports on these grounds.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEMay I ask whether this subject has been referred to the newly-constituted Agricultural Research Committee?
§ Sir J. GILMOURVery definite inquiries are going on into foot-and-mouth disease.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEBut as they have been perfectly fatuous hitherto, has this subject been put before the Agricultural Research Committee? Will the Minister refer it to the Agricultural Research Committee? What is the object of the Agricultural Research Committee?