HC Deb 20 February 1935 vol 298 cc346-7
47. Mr. RHYS DAVIES

asked the Home Secretary whether he will consider, with a view to the prevention of anthrax in this country, making it compulsory to disinfect all imported goats' hair at the Government station in Liverpool?

51. Sir FRANCIS FREMANTLE

asked the Home Secretary whether, having regard to the danger of infection with anthrax from imported goats' hair, he will take the necessary steps to ensure that all goats' hair imported into this country, including existing stocks, is thoroughly disinfected?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I have now given full consideration to all the representations submitted to me, and, after careful inquiries, I have reached the conclusion that the present arrangements for the compulsory disinfection of goat hair at the Government station should be extended to imported goat hair generally. It is proposed that the necessary Order should be made at the Privy Council meeting to-morrow and take effect two months hence.

Mr. RHYS DAVIES

While thanking the right hon. Gentleman for the excellent work that has been done, may I ask him to bear in mind the very large amount of goats' hair in stock already and alleged to be full of disease?

Mr. EADY

Is my right hon. Friend aware that this is going to have a very serious effect on the use of goats' hair in manufacture? Can he state the number of cases of anthrax that have occurred during the last year?

Sir J. GILMOUR

I have considered the matter very carefully and have come to the conclusion that the proposal would not be an undue burden on industry, and, in view of the evil which arises, I think the proposed action is right.

Sir F. FREMANTLE

Will my right hon. Friend have the existing stocks disinfected?

Sir J, GILMOUR

What has been proposed will only come into operation two months hence.

Sir F. FREMANTLE

Does my right hon. Friend realise that there are stocks which will possibly last two years, and that they will spread infection right and left if he does not deal with them?

Mr. EADY

Will my right hon. Friend take into consideration the fact that these stocks are already partly in machinery, partly in manufactured cloth?