§ Mr. A. WILLIAMSasked the Minister of Agriculture how many outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease there were last week; and whether the origin of the recent outbreaks in Kent and Sussex has yet been traced?
Mr. GUINNESSTwo outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease were confirmed during the week ending Saturday, the 27th of November. The origin of the recent outbreaks in East Sussex and Kent remains obscure, but they probably have a common origin.
§ Mr. STEPHEN MITCHELLasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware that many farmers have recently suffered financial loss owing to foot-and-mouth disease, especially in respect of servants whose engagements ran for a period of six months, and who, therefore, could not be dismissed at short notice, and in respect of the loss of grazings due to the restriction on the importation of stock to an affected area; and, as some of the outbreaks were caused by the importation of pig carcases of foreign origin, will he consider the payment of compensation under these two heads?
850W
Mr. GUINNESSI am fully aware that when animals are slaughtered on account of foot-and-mouth disease their owners inevitably suffer losses, because of the interference with their business. While I deplore these losses, I have no power to relieve them by compensation, because my powers are limited to purchasing infected stock and slaughtering them to prevent the spread of disease.