§ Mr. GINNELLasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if an inquiry is being held into swine fever and other diseases of pigs; whether he will expedite it; and if he can say approximately when a Report may be expected?
§ Sir H. VERNEYI assume the hon. Member is referring to a Departmental Committee appointed on 11th April, 1910, under the chairmanship of the hon. Member for the Rye Division, to "inquire into the cause of the continued prevalence of swine fever in Great Britain, and to report whether it is practicable to take any further measures with a view to secure its speedy extirpation." The Committee have published interim Reports, but they are still sitting, and are intending shortly to consider a report by the Board's chief veterinary officer as to certain outbreaks of swine fever in which serum treatment has been used experimentally. It is expected that, after the Committee have considered this report, they may be able to make their final Report, but no date can be suggested as to when the latter is likely to be available. A scientific committee has also, at the request of the Board, been appointed by the Royal Society to study the pathology of this disease; but the Committee are only about to begin their investigation, and it is impossible to say approximately when a report may be expected.