§ 2. Sir A. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what action he is taking on the recommendation of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth, the text of which has 1024 been sent to him, that the veterinary authorities in Britain should co-operate fully in promoting research into the blue tongue disease of cattle and sheep, even though it is unknown in Britain, and seek to devise in consultation with the veterinary authorities in Australia tests and quarantine safeguards which will again allow pedigree stock to be shipped freely from this country to Australia.
§ Mr. SoamesThe recommendation of the Royal Agricultural Society of the Commonwealth was brought to the notice of the Agricultural Research Council which has agreed to ask the Director of the Animal Virus Diseases Research Institute at Pirbright to initiate research on blue tongue disease when resources permit. My veterinary advisers have frequent discussions with the Australians on this problem and they are drawing their attention to the recommendation and inviting their co-operation on it.
§ Sir A. HurdIs my right hon. Friend aware that the action he has taken will give great satisfaction to stockbreeders in this country and also to many in Australia, who are anxiously awaiting the day when they will again be allowed to import pure-bred stock from this country, because they are feeling the need of a fresh infusion of blood?
§ Mr. SoamesI am glad to hear my hon. Friend's assertion that that is so, and also to know the part that he himself played in the recommendations made by the Royal Agricultural Society.