46. Mr. David Adamsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the very large loss of foodstuffs involved in the slaughter of stock on account of foot-and-mouth disease, he is exploring every avenue in search of possible cures; and whether his Department has accepted offers of demonstrations of cures for this disease by the late lecturer in special pathology, University College, Dublin?
Mr. HudsonIt is not the fact, as suggested in the hon. Member's Question, that very large losses of foodstuffs are involved in the slaughter of stock on account of foot-and-mouth disease. As I have already stated, the majority of the carcases are salvaged for human consumption. The gentleman referred to in the last part of the Question was afforded an opportunity by the Food-and-Mouth Disease Research Committee of proving his claim to have solved the problem of preventing and curing foot-and-mouth disease.
Mr. AdamsIs the Minister aware that the professor had a letter recently in the '' Times '' in which he said he had offered the Ministry of Agriculture demonstrations of a cure, but was refused?
Mr. HudsonYes, Sir, but I think the hon. Member has been long enough in public life not to take notice of every letter in a newspaper and not to assume that what a writer says is correct.
§ Major Sir George DaviesWhile the Minister is exploring every avenue, will he take care to see that he leaves no stone unturned?