§ Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, while the current emergency over spreading outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease exists, he will seek temporary powers to control the use of footpaths and bridle paths.
§ Mr. PeartI already have power under Article 11 of the Foot-and-Mouth Disease (Infected Area Restrictions) Order, 1938 to close footpaths in Infected Areas, and I have used it in all cases where my veterinary service consider this necessary.
§ Sir G. Sinclairasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if, in view of the spread of foot-and-mouth disease, he will seek to make grants to local authorities towards the cost of disinfecting vehicles on roads at points agreed between the National Farmers' Union, the police and themselves.
§ Mr. PeartNo. I am advised that general use of disinfectant pads on roads, except in certain circumstances in infected areas, is of little value. Even in and near these areas it is better to concentrate on disinfection at the farm336W gate. I am not therefore prepared to make grants to local authorities towards the cost of doing this.
§ Sir R. Russellasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what representations have been made by Her Majesty's Government in recent years to the World Health Organisation or the United Nations, about the failure of certain meat exporting countries to eradicate foot-and-mouth disease from their flocks and herds, and with what result.
§ Mr. PeartNone. It would not be appropriate to make representations through these bodies. But we take an important part in other international organisations whose aim is to improve animal disease control in all countries, such as the Office Internationale des Epizooties and the European Commission for the control of foot-and-mouth disease.
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will introduce a scheme of grants payable to local authorities as a contribution towards defraying the cost of combating foot-and-mouth disease.
§ Mr. PeartNo. Section 69 of the Diseases of Animals Act, 1950, deals with the manner in which the expenses of local authorities under the Act are to be defrayed.
§ Mr. Elystan Morganasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food if he will set up a working party to study the question of combating foot-and-mouth disease with terms of reference similar to those given to the Gowers Committee.
§ Mr. PeartThe immediate task is to concentrate all our efforts on stamping out the epidemic. Once that is done I intend to set up an independent committee to examine our policy and our arrangements for dealing with foot-and-mouth disease and to advise whether any changes are necessary.