§ VISCOUNT CHAPLIN had given notice of his intention to ask the Minister of Agriculture the following Questions—
- 1. What was the date of the discovery of the existence of rabies in Great Britain;
- 2. How many different counties or parts of them had been declared infected before they were announced to be free from it again;
- 3. How many different counties or parts of them have been scheduled since then as being infected at present;
- 4. What is the usual extent of the area scheduled at present after a case of rabies has been discovered numbered in miles.
§ The noble Viscount said: My Lords, I have on the Notice Paper a series of Questions to the Minister of Agriculture with reference to the outbreak of rabies. I do not want to raise a debate, and, having talked to my noble friend opposite, I suggest that probably it will be most convenient for him and for the House if I ask each Question separately and not exactly as they appear on the Paper. The first Question is, What was the date of the discovery of the recent existence of rabies in Great Britain?
§ THE MINISTER OF AGRICULTURE (LORD LEE OF FAREHAM)The first actual outbreak of rabies in Great Britain after sixteen years was confirmed on September 7, 1918.
§ VISCOUNT CHAPLINHow many different counties have been declared infected before they were announced to be free from it again?
§ LORD LEE OF FAREHAMSeventeen.
§ VISCOUNT CHAPLINHow many different counties have been scheduled since then as being infected?
§ LORD LEE OF FAREHAMSix.
§ VTSCOUNT CHAPLINWhat is the usual extent in miles of the area scheduled at present after a case of rabies has been discovered? I put that Question for one reason only. A dog is sometimes conveyed by motor car.
§ LORD LEE OF FAREHAMAnd I am afraid by aeroplane also. The area scheduled varies according to the distance the confirmed case has run and according to the number of cases which come to light after enquiry. This may be a larger or smaller area, but as a general rule it may be said to measure fifteen miles in radius.