§ Mr. C. BATHURSTasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that an announcement was made in the London and Midland Press last Tuesday of an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease having occurred in Northumberland; and whether, in view of the injury to British live-stock interests resulting from the transmission of such a report, if inaccurate, to Argentina and other importing countries, he will make an official statement on the subject, which would be copied by the Press of such countries?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANTwo suspected cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Northumberland were reported to the Board on 28th and 30th March, but I am glad to say that the inquiries of the Board's veterinary inspector showed that no trace of the disease existed. I have no doubt that the Press will give publicity to this statement.