Mr. W. FOOT MITCHELLasked the Comptroller of the Household, as representing the Minister of Agriculture, the number of sheep that have died during the last 12 months from dipping; the number of cases in which arsenical or poisonous dips were used; and the number of claims he has received in consequence?
§ Sir H. BARNSTONAccording to information received by the Ministry the total number of sheep which have died during the last 12 months as the result of dipping is 628. Of this number 594 were dipped in arsenical dips; 13 were dipped in an arsenical dip for the first dipping, but in a non-poisonous dip for the second dipping. In 21 cases the Ministry has no information as to the dip used. In several cases the Ministry has received claims for compensation, but the applicants have been informed that the Ministry takes no responsibility for any losses occasioned through dipping of sheep in a poisonous dip, and every approved dip is labelled with a statement to this effect. There is a large number of non-poisonous dips available for selection, and the choice rests with the owner of the sheep.