LORD SITUTTLEWORTHMy Lords, before the House adjourns I should like, with your Lordships' permission, to put a Question to my noble friend the President of the Board of Agriculture. information has reached me that there has been an outbreak of foot and mouth disease in the West Riding of Yorkshire. Can the noble Earl state whether that is true or not?
§ EARL CARRINGTONMy Lords, I regret to say that the information which has reached my noble friend is correct. Just before coming down to the House I received the following—
§ "A report of suspected foot and mouth disease on the premises of William Richmond, at Northclose Farm, Kirkby Malzeard, near Ripon, Yorks (West Riding), was received by the Board from the police yesterday afternoon. Mr. W. W. Smart, the Board's Superintending Veterinary Inspector, proceeded at once to the spot and to-day reports that seven or eight animals on the farm are affected with foot and mouth disease. Further particulars to follow.
§ "Instructions have been given for the issue of an order prohibiting the movement of all animals over a wide area around the 398 seat of the outbreak, which order will be issued to-night. Local authorities throughout Great Britain have been warned by telegram of the fact that foot and mouth disease has reappeared in this country.
§ "The Board's chief veterinary officer is proceeding to Yorkshire to advise as to the steps to be taken in connection with the outbreak, and will report by telegram."
§ [The sitting was suspended at twenty minutes before six o'clock, and resumed at a quarter past eleven, o'clock.]
§ The Lord HERSCHELL—Chosen Speaker in the absence of the Lord Chancellor and the Lords Commissioners.