§ Major W. MURRAYasked the Secretary for Scotland. in view of recent outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease- in England, what stops have been taken to safeguard the interests of Scottish stock-owners and farmers; and whether, seeing that such outbreaks result in the closing of certain foreign ports to the exportation of Scottish live stock, he will consider the advisability of transferring the administration of the Contagious Diseases of Animals Acts in Scotland to the Scottish Board of Agriculture?
Sir A. BOSCAWENThe steps taken by the Board to prevent the spread of foot-and-mouth disease are taken as much in the interest of the Scottish stock-owner as of stock-owners resident in other parts of Great Britain. As regards the last 535W part of the question, the Board have no power to transfer their statutory obligations to another Department.