asked the Minister of Agriculture which counties in Scotland have been affected by fowl pest; whether any conclusion has been reached regarding the origin of the outbreak; and what steps are being taken to deal with it.

Mr. T. Williams:

Outbreaks of fowl pest on the mainland of Scotland have been confirmed in the counties of Aberdeen, Angus, Inverness, Renfrew, Ross and Cromarty and Wigtown. In addition there have been outbreaks on several islands in the Orkney, Shetland, Outer Hebrides and Inner Hebrides groups. A single outbreak has been found on the Bass Rock in the Firth of Forth. The first outbreak was discovered in the Orkney Islands, but, as the disease bad existed there for about a month before it became known to my Department, it has not been possible, so far, to assign any definite cause to that outbreak. Every effort is being made to ensure early notification of any suspicious circumstances amongst poultry flocks and the usual measures of slaughter and disinfection are being taken to deal with the disease.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether a ban has been placed on the movement of live or dead poultry out of any of these affected areas?

Mr. Williams:

I believe that an order does exist preventing movement to markets, and so forth.

Does that apply to all the affected areas?

Is not it the case that this fowl pest is actually being carried by wild fowl, and that in those circumstances it is impossible to stamp it out?

Mr. Williams:

I can only say that my veterinary officers are doing their best to stamp out fowl pest in Scotland as well as in England and Wales.

Can the right hon. Gentleman say whether this ban on movement has been applied to all the affected areas?

Mr. Williams:

I cannot say without notice.