§ Mr. GEORGE ROBERTSasked the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that, during the year ended 31st March, 1913, £981 10s. 1d. less than the amount granted in the Estimates was expended on account of incidental expenses connected with the Government lymph establishment; whether, in consequence of the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease, calves for vaccination could not be obtained during part of the year; if so, whether any inconvenience was experienced through this shortage of calves and saving of public money; and whether, in view of the decreasing number of vaccinations and the comparative 1647W freedom from small-pox, he is prepared to modify the Estimate under this heading in future?
§ Mr. HERBERT SAMUELThe reply to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. In consequence of the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease, calves could not be obtained during a part of the year, but owing to the reserve of lymph which is kept for emergencies no inconvenience resulted. As regards the last part of the question, I may say that the Estimate under the subhead referred to for the financial year 1913–14 was somewhat reduced, and a further reduction has been made in the Estimate for the current year.