§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if any steps have been taken to ascertain the origin of the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in the neighbourhood of Grimsby, and with what result?
§ Sir HARRY VERNEYFull inquiry has been made on the usual lines, but so far no opinion can be expressed as to the origin of the outbreak.
§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the Parliamentary Secretary of the Board of Agriculture whether soldiers are camping out upon any farm or farms upon which an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has recently occurred; and, if so, what steps have been or are being taken to prevent the spread of the disease through the medium of the clothing or equipment of such soldiers in the course of their military or other movements?
§ Sir HARRY VERNEYA considerable number of the Territorial Force was billeted in and around Stallingborough, and occupied several of the farms upon which the disease appeared. The military authorities have moved the units located on infected premises to premises at Immingham Docks, where arrangements have been made for disinfecting their clothing and equipment. Since the outbreaks were first detected the military authorities issued special orders regarding the movement of these units with a view to minimising the risk of the spread of the disease and all practicable steps were at once taken for disinfecting the boots, etc., of the men on each occasion when they left infected premises. It was at the suggestion of the Board that the 985W military authorities took the steps which have been indicated, and the Board are greatly indebted to them for their cooperation in the matter.