§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in consultation with the Minister of Health, he will grant emergency powers to local authorities to close public footpaths and tracks normally open to the public, at the request of landowners and occupiers, in view of the danger of foot-and-mouth disease being spread by hikers and others who may unwittingly traverse fields where stock have contracted the disease; and further, whether he will consult with the Masters of Foxhounds Associations so that steps may be taken to reduce the risk of infection in districts which are not at present affected by standstill orders?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonPowers already exist in the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Infected Areas Restrictions) Order of 1925 enabling an inspector of the Ministry or of the Local Authority to prohibit the entry of any person into any field or other 765W place in an infected area, notwithstanding the existence of any footpath or right of way, by giving notice to that effect to the occupier of the premises. The inspectors of the Ministry exercise these powers in respect of all footpaths crossing premises where actual outbreaks of the disease have occurred, or where a footpath is so close to an infected farm as to render its use dangerous from the point of view of the conveyance of infection. Other footpaths may be closed where, in the inspector's judgment, it is desirable for the purpose of preventing the spread of infection. This procedure has been found effective for the purpose in view. The entry of persons into an infected place is prohibited and warning notices to that effect are exhibited.
With regard to the second part of the question, the Order of 1925 also prohibits fox hunting in every infected area, but it is not considered necessary to extend such prohibition to a "controlled"area, in which no outbreaks of the disease have appeared. The reason for the prohibition of the hunting of deer in the "controlled"area is that deer, like cattle, sheep and pigs, are susceptible to foot-and-mouth disease, and their movements should, therefore, be limited as far as practicable.