§ MR. CHAPLINasked the First Lord of the Treasury, What steps Her Majesty's Government intend to take in order to give effect to the Resolution adopted by the House of Commons on Tuesday the 10th July, with regard to the continued importation of Foreign Live Animals from Countries infected with Foot and Mouth Disease?
MR. GLADSTONEWith reference to this Question, Sir, the hon. Member is certainly aware of the ground taken by the Government with respect to the state of the law. From that ground it is, of course, not possible for them to depart. Their duty has been to consider what they will do in deference to the Vote of the House, without going beyond the powers which the law places in their hands, and what they will do is this—they will carefully go over the cases of the different foreign countries, and consider with care the evidence that is before them upon the points raised by the Motion of the hon. Member. In each of these cases they will examine whether the action which they have adopted is behind what the evidence demands which is in their possession; and, if it is, they will make it their duty to bring it up to the point which that evidence justifies.
§ MR. CHAPLINAre we to understand that if the evidence leads them to the conclusion that there is foot-and-mouth disease in those countries they will take steps to prohibit the landing of animals from those countries?
MR. GLADSTONEIt would be difficult for me to accept at a moment's notice a Question put extempore by the hon. Gentleman. If he will kindly place it upon the Paper, I will take care to put myself into a condition to reply.
§ MR. CHAPLINgave Notice that he would ask a further Question on the subject on Friday.