asked the Minister of Agriculture the number of actions that have been brought in Great Britain during the previous five years under the Diseases of Animals Act, 1927, for failure to report with all practical speed an outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease; and what penalties were imposed?

During the past five years 18 prosecutions have been instituted in Great Britain for failure to report promptly the suspected existence of foot-and-mouth disease. Convictions were obtained in 15 cases and fines varying from £1 to £35 were imposed, with costs varying from 5s. to £10 10s. The total fines imposed amounted to £220 and the costs to £38.

How many persons had been previously prosecuted for the same offence?

I could not say, without notice, but I can tell the House that farmers and others concerned have been most vigilant in reporting cases in recent years.

Are not these fines very small compared with those that the Milk Marketing Board can impose?