§ MR. O'DOHERTY (Donegal, N.)asked the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland, Whether the attention of the Veterinary Department of the Privy Council in Ireland has been called to the statement that American cattle arrive in Liverpool and Glasgow in better condition than Irish cattle; whether this arises from defective 848 arrangements in the cross-channel steamers, and overcrowding, or otherwise; whether it is the fault of the Board of Trade Regulations, or of those of the Privy Councils of Great Britain and Ireland, that nothing is done to remedy the state of things complained of; and, whether, in view of the attitude of certain Local Authorities in Great Britain, the Government will take energetic steps in this matter?
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY (Mr. A. J. BALFOUR) (Manchester, E.)It is true that such a statement as is referred to has been brought under the notice of the Veterinary Department in Ireland; but if the complaint against the condition of Irish cattle be well founded it cannot be traced to defective arrangements in the cross-channel steamers, either by overcrowding or otherwise. The Regulations on the subject are as carefully devised as possible. They are identical in England and Ireland, and are the same for cross-channel steamers as for those carrying cattle to Great Britain from other countries. The shipment of animals is superintended by officers of the Veterinary Department, who do all in their power to prevent any cruelty or infringement of the Regulations; and I am afraid that no further action on the part of the Department seems practicable.