§ 43. Mr. Robert Crouchasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will allocate an extra £1,000,000 this year for research on foot-and-mouth disease.
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Major Sir Thomas Dugdale)No, Sir. The Ministry's Estimates for 1952–53 have already been presented to the House, and I am satisfied that this research is already proceeding as intensively as is practicable, bearing in mind the developments already in hand.
§ Mr. CrouchIn view of the concern at the present outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease and the loss of livestock, does not my right hon. and gallant Friend think that the time has arrived when 1624 research should be made into the cause of the disease and the conditions responsible for incubating these germs, rather than research into vaccines for its prevention?
§ Sir T. DugdaleAll aspects of this disease are being looked into in the future.
§ Mr. Harold DaviesWill the right hon. Gentleman, if he is not prepared to spend more money, at least consider the suggestion I made to him last week, that he should look into the methods of European suppression of foot-and-mouth disease and call a European conference?
§ Sir T. Dugdale; Every aspect of this matter will be examined. As I explained last week, a maintenance grant of £94,000 was made for this financial year, and we consider that adequate for the existing necessity.
§ Mr. ManuelCan the right hon. and gallant Gentleman tell the House what steps he is taking to control fox hunting? Is it any use spending huge sums of money on research if he turns down the distinguished guidance he has received that fox hunting should, in the meantime, be discontinued?