HL Deb 04 June 1867 vol 187 cc1549-50

House in Committee (according to Order).

Clauses 1 to 30, inclusive, agreed to, with verbal Amendments.

Clause 31 (Regulations respecting landing, &c, of Foreign Animals).

LORD WALSINGHAM

moved the insertion of words giving the Government power to require that all foreign cattle should be slaughtered at the port of entry to this country without exception.

THE DUKE OF MARLBOROUGH

said, the question of slaughtering all foreign cattle imported into England at the ports of entry was a very wide one, and one upon which it was very difficult to come to a conclusion without much previous consideration. The subject referred to by the noble Lord had been maturely considered by the Select Committee to whom the Bill was referred, and a general feeling existed that the Privy Council ought to have the power of ordering the slaughter of cattle at the ports of entry. Some doubts existed as to whether the Privy Council already possessed that power under the existing Acts, and it was deemed desirable that those doubts should be removed, and a clause was introduced into the Bill for that purpose. The words of the clause gave power to prohibit or regulate "the removal or disposal of cattle imported into England," and it was considered that the word "disposal" would necessarily include the ordering of cattle into quarantine, their slaughter if necessary, and every other mode of disposing of them. His noble Friend (Lord Walsingham) had expressed his views before the Select Committee, and had proposed to introduce the word "slaughter;" but the Committee thought the clause as it stood was sufficient for the purpose intended. He had no objection to the insertion of the word if their Lordships thought proper—it was for them to say whether they concurred with the Select Committee on this point.

LORD BERNERS

supported the Amendment on the ground that it was better to make the matter quite clear than to leave it in doubt.

THE EARL OF DERBY

said, it was simply a question as to whether the interpretation of the clause on this point was doubtful or not.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made.

The Report of the Amendments to be received on Thursday next; and Bill to be printed as amended. (No. 139.)