§ Mr. BARNSTONasked the President of the Board of Agriculture if there have been any additional outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in Cheshire or elsewhere in addition to the five outbreaks announced yesterday; and whether, as the measures which the Board have adopted seem not to be efficacious, the Board will not put Ireland under the same restrictions as any other country where foot-and-mouth disease exists, and not allow cattle to come in for slaughter?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThere have now been five outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease confirmed in the neighbourhood of Nantwich, Cheshire. With regard to the apprehensions which have been expressed that these or any other outbreaks may in some way be connected with the landing of Irish fat stock for slaughter at the foreign animals' wharves, I have made careful investigation and inquiry, and, in view of the fact that all the animals so landed have been carefully examined by veterinary inspectors both on embarkation and on arrival, and that the most stringent precautions are taken at the wharves, I am satisfied that there is no reason whatever for supposing that disease has been introduced in the manner suggested.
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§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether, having regard to the fact that there has been no case of foot-and-mouth disease in any part of county Meath, and to the considerable distance of its nearest border from the district in county Dublin where the outbreak occurred, he will consider the advisability of revoking all the restrictions placed on the movement of cattle in the county and declare it exempt from all restrictive regulations?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe restrictions were removed on 18th July from about two-thirds of the county of Meath. The restrictions on the remaining portion of the county, the nearest part of the border of which is only two miles from the Swords infected area, will be modified as soon as the Department are fully satisfied that such a course can be taken without risk.