HC Deb 16 April 1913 vol 51 cc1962-3W
Mr. C. BATHURST

asked 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. RUNCIMAN

Two 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.