§ 30. Mr. Hiltonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will make a statement on the present incidence of fowl pest in Norfolk, giving the number of outbreaks, the number of birds destroyed and the amount of compensation paid during the past four months, and the comparable figures for the three previous years.
Mr. VaneThe outbreaks which occurred in September and October were, in general, connected with disease in turkey flocks. A new series of outbreaks led, at the end of November, to restrictions on the movement and marketing of poultry in an area about ten miles around Diss. There have been further outbreaks mainly in this area but also in other parts of the county and we are closely watching the situation.
As to the second part of the Question, the figures are as follows:
FOWL PEST—NORFOLK August-November inclusive Number of outbreaks Number of birds slaughtered in thousands Compensation incurred £ thousands 1958 … 107 177 204 1959 … 77 163 220 1960 … 156 639 306 1961 … 87 386 778 (provisional) (provisional)
§ 36. Mr. Haymanasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether the poultry keeper from Norfolk whose recent claim for compensation for fowl pest amounted to £⅓ million made claims in 1959–60 and in 1960–61; and what compensation was granted on each of these claims.
60W
Mr. VaneThese payments are made to private individuals in compensation for property which has been taken from them. They concern the private affairs of individuals and it is not our practice to disclose the amounts.
Compensation is not based on a claim from the owner, but upon the value assessed either by the Ministry's officers or by valuers on our behalf. If the owner is dissatisfied, the valuation can be referred to arbitration.