Major DAVID DAVIESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture how many special investigators have been appointed to inquire into suspected cases of rabies; what veterinary qualifications are necessary in the case of applicants for these appointments; whether the positions are advertised; and whether preference is given to duly qualified discharged soldiers and sailors in making these appointments?
§ Mr. PRATTNo special investigators have been appointed for this purpose. The Board's staff is quite competent to deal with the situation assisted as they are by the local authorities and the police. The latter part of my hon. Friend's question does not arise.
Major DAVIESasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture what steps have been taken for the inspection of trains, motor cars, and other means of locomotion by which dogs can be carried from one infected area to another; and if all police constables have been warned to stop and inspect all motor cars which cross the border between an infected and a non-infected area?
§ Mr. PRATTBy Section 43 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1894, it is the duty of the police force to execute and enforce the Act and all Orders issued in pursuance thereof by the Board. The methods to be adopted in order to carry out this duty lie within the discretion of the chiefs of the respective forces. I think that the inspection of all motor cars, as suggested by my hon. Friend, would be impracticable, and I am not sure that it would secure the object which he has in view. It is for the railway officials to obtain observance of the Board's Orders as regards movement by trains.