§ 76. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the statement that the 1937–38 outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease suggested strongly that migrant birds are mechanical carriers of infection, made by the Chief Veterinary Officer on 4th May, 1945, had previously been communicated to the veterinary profession.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsYes, Sir. The view that migratory birds were responsible for bringing infection to Great Britain from the Continent in the latter part of 1937 was given much prominence both in the national and the technical Press at that time.
§ Mr. TurtonIs the Minister aware that veterinary periodicals have stated that they had no knowledge of this fact until 4th May?
§ Mr. WilliamsPerhaps that was merely an article written by an amateur.