§ Sir R. Glynasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the fact that dogs are not liable to foot-and-mouth disease and can be disinfected, he can give an assurance that strict instructions will be given to his inspectors charged with the slaughter of infected stock that no dogs are to be thus slaughtered?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonThe inspectors of the Ministry of Agriculture have no authority to slaughter dogs in connection with outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease and I am not aware of any instance in which a dog has been so slaughtered. The inspectors of the Ministry are aware that they have no authority to slaughter animals of any class without special instructions from the Department.
§ Sir T. Rosbothamasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the alarming spread of foot-and-mouth disease, he will see that every precaution is taken by his Department with regard to the importation from the Continent into this country of straw, whether in the form of packing or otherwise, that would be likely to carry the infection?
§ Mr. W. S. MorrisonI would refer my hon. Friend to the reply which I gave to the hon. Member for Doncaster (Mr. Short) on this subject on 13th December418W last, of which I am sending him a copy, and to which I have nothing to add.