§ Sir C. CAYZERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider the desirability of reconsidering the valuations signed by farmers whose stock suffered from foot-and-mouth disease in the earlier days of the present outbreak; whether he is aware that many farmers signed their valuations in the belief that their animals would be at once slaughtered and that they would not have to feed and keep them, in some cases for weeks; and Whether the expenses incurred by farmers between signing the valuations and the date of slaughter will be refunded?
§ Mr. BUXTONThe Ministry is not empowered to pay as compensation for animals slaughtered any sum in excess of the value of the animal at the date of slaughter, diseased animals being for this purpose valued as free from disease. I am not prepared to re-open valuations duly made in these cases, but where there has been a substantial interval between the valuation and slaughter, the Ministry will fee prepared to consider any representations as to an increase in the value of the animal during such interval which is attributable to the expenditure referred to in the hon. Member's question.