§ Sir J. SPEARasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture if he will state the number of outbreaks of epizootic abortion in the county of Devon in each year since that county has been subject to a special Order dealing with the disease; whether the results of the operation of the Order in die opinion of the Board justify its retention: and, if so, whether they anticipate any development of their policy with regard to the treatment of this disease which will modify the position in the future?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe number of out-breaks of this disease in the county of Devon in the years 1912 (26th February to 31st December), 1913, 1914 and 1915, were 775, 1,039, 642, and 659 respectively. In reply to the second part of the question, it is true that the Order requires the isolation and detention of diseased animals and the cleansing and disinfection of diseased animals and the premises in which they have been kept, and, in so far, is doubtless of advantage, but the Board, as at present advised, are doubtful whether the cost of the administration of the Order to the local authority will be fully justified when the arrangements for the supply of vaccine for vaccination against the disease from the Board's laboratory to all applicants are completed. The Board hope that this will be at no very distant date, when they will inquire more fully into the working of the Devon Order, and advise the local authority as to the steps which they consider might best be taken then to deal with the disease in the county. A certain amount of vaccine is obtainable at the present time on application to the Board's ofiice, and there is no reason why Devon farmers should not avail themselves of it more than they do at present.