asked the Minister of Agriculture the most recent position as regards foot-and-mouth disease; and how many animals were treated with foot-and-mouth disease serum during the recent outbreaks, and with what result?

Twenty-three cases of foot-and-mouth disease have been confirmed in Great Britain since 1st August last, of which seven have occurred since 1st September. The most recent out- break was confirmed yesterday at Graffham, Huntingdonshire. Infected area restrictions are at present in force in three districts, namely, within areas of 15 miles radius of Grafham, Huntingdonshire, and of Walsall, Staffs, and an area covering five miles radius of two infected places in adjacent parishes in Pembrokeshire and Carmarthenshire. Since 1st August last, 375 cattle, 631 sheep, 514 pigs and 1 goat have been treated with foot-and-mouth disease serum. The disease appeared in only one instance among treated stock in this period, namely, on 30th August, when five cattle went down out of a number of animals which bad been inoculated with serum 13 days previously.

Sir F. HALL:

What has been the actual result of the serum treatment?

I think that it is too early to form any definite conclusion.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say if the position in regard to foot-and-mouth disease is more favourable than last year?

asked the Minister of Health how many persons are now in receipt of outdoor Poor Law relief in the administrative area of the county of Durham, and the numbers in 1928 and 1929?

I am afraid I could not say.

Does the Minister still consider that the best way of counteracting this disease is by slaughtering and the burning of the carcases?

Yes, certainly.