§ 7. Mr. Hiltonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will state, to the nearest convenient date, the number of poultry slaughtered as a result of the present outbreak of fowl pest in Norfolk; how many of these were ducks, turkeys and chickens, respectively; what was the amount paid out in compensation; what new measures are being taken to combat the outbreak; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsInfected area restrictions controlling the movement of poultry into, out of, and within central and eastern Norfolk have been in force since 30th March. From then until mid-July, 411 outbreaks were confirmed in Norfolk, involving the slaughter of nearly 1½ million infected and contact birds. Of these approximately 1,200,000 were chickens, 231,000 turkeys, 16,000 ducks, 3,000 other birds including geese and pheasants. The total compensation for these birds is estimated at about £1¼ million.
Regarding future policy I would refer the hon. Member to the statement made by my right hon. Friend on 18th July in reply to my hon. Friend the Member for Newbury (Sir A. Hurd).
§ Mr. HiltonWhile thanking the Parliamentary Secretary for that lengthy reply, may I ask him if he is aware that the number of poultry of all sorts involved in this most recent outbreak in Norfolk and the resultant cost are of great concern to us all? As to the statement which was issued by his right hon. Friend a few days ago, is the hon. Gentleman aware that most people in Norfolk, and especially the farmers who have been in the poultry trade for nearly fifty years and have never suffered from fowl pest, will welcome the new proposal that slaughter and compensation should stop, but will the hon. Gentleman make doubly sure that adequate 1457 supplies of vaccine are made available as soon as possible at reasonable prices for poultry keepers?
§ Mr. Scott-HopkinsYes, we will.