Earl of DALKEITHasked the Minister of Agriculture the number of cases of sheep scab which have within the last 12 months been recorded in Scotland, England and Wales, respectively, and the counties in which the disease is most prevalent; and whether the Returns throw any light upon the probable means by which the disease survives in particular places and is disseminated into clean areas?
§ Dr. ADDISONThe number of outbreaks of sheep scab which have been recorded in Scotland, England and Wales during the 12 months ended 30th April, 1930, are 29, 294 and 287, respectively. The counties in which the disease was most prevalent were: Cumberland, Lincoln (parts of Lindsey), Yorkshire (West Riding), Caernarvon, Denbigh, Merioneth and Montgomery. The chief factor in the spread of sheep scab is the mixing of clean sheep with affected sheep; often by the movement of sheep which have been exposed to this risk but which have not developed the disease to a stage at which the lesions are readily noticeable. I am sending the Noble Lord a Memorandum giving further particulars on the subject.