§ 60. Mr. Turtonasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that there has been no outbreak of fowl pest in the county of Yorkshire during the last six months, he will amend the regulations so as to permit adult and growing poultry to be sent from Yorkshire to Scotland and the more northern English counties.
Mr. T. WilliamsI regret that I am not yet able to add anything to the reply I gave to the hon. Member for Skipton (Mr. Drayson) on 27th April.
§ Mr. TurtonIn view of the fact that there have been 167 outbreaks of fowl pest in the last six months in Scotland, is not there something wrong with the regulations which allow Scots chicks to go to Yorkshire and no Yorkshire chicks to go to Scotland?
Mr. WilliamsIf the hon. Member will look at the reply I referred to, he will find that we expect to make a statement shortly.
§ Mr. S. SilvermanWill my right hon. Friend bear in mind that there is considerable feeling on this question in many of the northern counties, including Lancashire, and could he expedite his investigation?
Mr. WilliamsYes, I am fully aware of that. But there is also very grave anxiety in parts of Lancashire, and other northern counties, about the possibility of widespread outbreaks of fowl pest.