§ 84. Sir J. Langford-Holtasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will make a statement on the outbreak in Shropshire of foot and mouth disease.
§ Mr. PeartYes. The first case in this most unfortunate epidemic was confirmed on 25th October near Oswestry. Subsequently 73 cases have been confirmed in Shropshire, and 68 in Cheshire, Denbighshire, Flint, Montgomeryshire and Staffordshire, and two outbreaks in Lancashire. It is not possible yet to say what the origin of this outbreak was, nor, indeed, whether all these outbreaks are connected with a single origin. I am advised, however, that time has shown that none of the animals which were in Oswestry market when the outbreak was confirmed could have picked up infection there.