§ EARL DE LA WARRMy Lords, I wish, after private notice to my noble Friend, to ask Her Majesty's Government whether any steps have been taken with reference to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease among cattle in this country; and also whether there is reason to suppose that it may have been brought into this country by imported cattle, or whether, as it has been reported; the poison was introduced into this country by raw hides which came from Germany, and have been landed at Harwich? My Lords, I wish merely to put this question to Her Majesty's Government, believing, as I do, that the facts to which I have referred are known to many of your Lordships, and I have no doubt my statement might be corroborated?
THE MARQUESS OF HUNTLYMy Lords, before the noble Earl replies to my noble Friend's question, I may say that I had already given him private notice of a similar question; but I should like also to ask him further, if he will allow me, whether he can corroborate or not the information as to the importation of this disease through Danish cattle, and whether that opinion, which was expressed by the Board of Agriculture, is not now confirmed? My noble Friend alluded to the Report, which created great sensation in London on Saturday last, that it had been ascertained, through the action of the American Consul, that the disease had been imported by raw hides from a German port landed at Harwich. I should like to know whether that is correct or not; and also to know whether any further outbreaks have been notified this morning of this disease in this country; and what steps the Board of Agriculture have taken to cope with the disease?
§ THE LORD PRIVY SEAL (Earl CADOGAN)My Lords, perhaps both my noble Friends will allow me to answer their questions together. With regard to the question of my noble Friend 870 behind me, I beg to remind him that my right hon. Friend the President of the Board of Agriculture on two occasions in the House of Commons—on the 11th inst., I think, and as late as on the 18th—replied to questions at very great length, stating, step by step, what proceedings had been taken by the Board of Agriculture in view of the undoubted outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; and I think that the House would hardly wish me to read at great length the replies of my right hon. Friend—they were published in all the newspapers; but, if my noble Friend behind me would wish to have them printed, I could, no doubt, give them to him. With regard to the further question of the noble Marquess, no further facts have been elicited by the Department as to the origin of this disease; and with reference to the report which has obtained currency during the last day or two (which I think had its origin in one of the newspapers on Sunday), namely, that it had been found that the origin of the outbreak was the importation of some infected raw hides into this country, the Board of Agriculture have, through their officers, and with the assistance of the Custom House officials, made the very strictest inquiry into that report, and have no reason whatever to believe that there is any truth or foundation in it. I believe I have answered the questions of both my noble Friends.