§ 7. Sir A. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he has now received the report of the Committee inquiring into the incidence and cost of fowl pest.
§ Mr. SoamesNo, Sir, I understand that the Committee is making excellent progress on this difficult study, but I doubt if its report will be ready before the end of the year.
§ Sir A. HurdDoes not my right hon. Friend agree that this has become a most urgent matter, that fowl pest, apparently in a sub-acute form, is very widely established, and that slaughtering the birds is costing the Exchequer between £3 million and £4 million a year and is not getting us anywhere? Should we not hasten the advice from this Committee and then take action fairly quickly?
§ Mr. SoamesI am anxious to get the report as soon, as I can, but, as my hon. Friend knows, the Committee is taking evidence very widely, both in this country and abroad. I agree that the sooner we can get the report and reach any decision which may flow from it, the better.