§ Mr. W. THORNEasked the President of the Board of Education, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, if he can state the number of cattle that have been destroyed during the recent outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; and what has been the total amount of compensation paid to the various farmers and others during the outbreak?
Mr. WOODThe number of cattle slaughtered up to and including the 18th instant is 80,983. The total amount of compensation actually paid to farmers up to the same date, in respect of all classes of live stock slaughtered, is £1,424,859, while the estimated gross commitments for compensation amount to £2,475,000.