§ LORD ROBERT MONTAGUsaid, he rose to ask the Under Secretary of State for the Home Department, Whether, in fulfilment of the promise given by Mr. Chancellor of the Exchequer, any measure has been prepared to give compensation to those persons whose cattle have been killed under the Orders of the Privy Council previous to the passing of the Act of this Session; and, if so, when that measure will be introduced?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYsaid, the promise referred to by the noble Lord was that the subject should receive further consideration. It was necessary that minute inquiry should, in the first instance, be made with a view to ascertain not only the value of the animals, but the circumstances under which they were slaughtered. When that inquiry had been completed it would be for the Government to determine what course they should take.
§ LORD ROBERT MONTAGUsaid, he wished to know, whether the Government have taken any steps to ascertain the various particulars which they deem to be necessary to become acquainted with before arriving at a determination on the subject of his Question?
§ SIR GEORGE GREYreplied that no inquiries had as yet been made as to what sums, if any, had already been paid to the persons to whom the noble Lord referred. No time would be lost in instituting the necessary inquiries on the subject.
§ MR. HENRY BAILLIEsaid, he would beg to ask the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether it is the intention of the Government to maintain the prohibition of the conveyance of cattle by Railway after the 16th April; and, if so, whether the northern counties of Scotland, where the plague does not exist, might be allowed to send cattle to the south by Railway so long as they remained free from disease?
§ SIR GEORGE GREY, in reply, said, it was not proposed to continue beyond the 16th of April the absolute prohibition of the removal of cattle by railway. It was proposed to substitute for that prohibition regulations authorizing their removal under certain restrictions.