HC Deb 25 November 1925 vol 188 cc1404-6W
Viscount SANDON

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, why he recently refused permission for information as to the cancellation of a live-stock auction near Heading, owing to foot-and-mouth disease, being broadcasted, thereby involving waste of time and money to many people travelling long distances?

Sir H. BARNSTON

My right hon. Friend has no authority either to grant or refuse permission for information of this nature to be broadcast. In the case referred to, the British Broadcasting Company asked the advice of the Ministry over the telephone, and a reply was given that the Ministry would not itself ask the Company to broadcast a notice regarding a particular private sale. There was no intention of exercising any veto on the discretion of the company to broadcast the fact that the sale was cancelled, if they were willing to do so. The reply given seems to have been misunderstood.

Sir F. WISE

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, the estimated cost of the foot-and-mouth disease from 1st April to date?

Sir H. BARNSTON

The total estimated cost of combating foot-and-mouth disease from 1st April to 23rd November inclusive is £204,309.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, what precautions are taken by officials visiting cattle infected by foot-and-mouth disease to prevent their clothing spreading the disease to clean herds?

Sir H. BARNSTON

Under the standing instructions of the Ministry, its officials can only enter premises on which foot-and-mouth disease is suspected or confirmed, if they are clothed from head to foot in waterproof clothing and wearing rubber boots. Before entering the premises, the inspectors scrupulously disinfect this clothing and their hands and also again before leaving. The Ministry is satisfied that these instructions are carried out and that the inspectors do everything that is possible to prevent infection being carried in their clothing.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, if there is any evidence available as to the spreading of foot-and-mouth disease by pigeons or other birds or by rodents?

Sir H. BARNSTON

There is some circumstantial evidence that birds may carry the infection of foot-and-mouth disease, but such evidence as is available indicates that rodents are not responsible for spreading the disease.

Lieut.-Colonel HENEAGE

asked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, if his attention has been called to the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease near Horncastle; and how long the whole of Lindsey is to be under the operation of the present Order in the event of no fresh outbreak taking place?

Sir H. BARNSTON

If no further out-break occurs in the Horncastle area, the 15-mile infected area will probably be reduced to about 5 miles from the 8th December and released entirely from restrictions about the 22nd December. The remainder of Lindsey forms part of the outer area subject to the Midlands and South of England (Regulation of Movement of Animals) Order of 1925. It is hoped that the general position of the country will have so improved as to enable the Ministry to withdraw this Order by about the middle of December.