§ 80. Sir PERCY HURDasked the Minister of Agriculture if, in view of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease over a large area from the Reading market, he is satisfied that the arrangements of local authorities for the disinfection of these premises are adequate; and, if not, what steps it is proposed to take?
§ Major ELLIOTI have no reason to think that disinfection of Reading market was not carried out strictly in accordance with the regulations. There was only one outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease directly associated with the market. This occurred on 25th January, and there is no evidence of the spread of the disease as the result of inadequate disinfection after this outbreak. So far as concerns the preceding outbreaks, all the evidence points to infection having originally been contracted at the Reading loading docks of the Great Western Railway and not at Reading market. As all these infections, so far as can be traced, were contracted within the course of 24 hours in the loading banks, it would appear that disinfection here must have been very thorough and efficacious, 1180 especially in view of the fact that it was being carried out as a matter of routine and before any of these outbreaks were discovered.
§ Sir P. HURDMay we take it that my right hon. Friend is satisfied that the disinfecting arrangements are as satisfactory as possible?
§ Major ELLIOTYes, I think that may be said to be so.