§ 77. Mr. Hurdasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will make a statement on the present foot-and-mouth disease position; and, particularly, if he will say to what extent any of the recent outbreaks are attributed to fresh incursions of infection from the Continent.
§ Sir T. DugdaleI would ask my hon. Friend to await the statement I shall be making in the course of today's debate.
§ 80. Mr. G. Williamsasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will consider the banning of gymkhanas as a preventive of foot-and-mouth disease.
§ Sir T. DugdaleI am advised that there is little risk of foot-and-mouth disease being spread at gatherings where no cloven-hoofed animals are exhibited, and I see no need to ban gymkhanas or other gatherings of this kind.
§ 82. Mr. Deedesasked the Minister of Agriculture if he will give consideration to the proposal that, with particular regard to the large number of troops returning on leave by air from Germany, facilities should be provided at airports serving the Continent for disinfecting the soles of boots and shoes in order to lessen the risk of spreading foot-and-mouth infection.
§ Sir T. DugdaleThe risk of spreading foot-and-mouth infection in this way is very small. I do not think it would justify making arrangements to disinfect the shoes of all passengers coming from the Continent, but am exploring with my right hon. Friend the Secretary of State for War the possibility of disinfecting clothing and footwear worn by soldiers coming home from Germany by air.