§ SIR ROBERT BUXTONasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland, If it is the intention of Government to carry out the recommendation of the Select Committee on the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Act of last year, and extend 627 to Ireland the order now in force throughout Great Britain for the compulsory slaughter of all cattle afflicted with pleuro-pneumonia?
§ SIR MICHAEL HICKS-BEACHIn answer to the hon. Baronet I desire to state that it would he impossible to extend to Ireland the order for the compulsory slaughter of cattle afflicted with pleuro-pneumonia, owing to a legal difficulty of a technical character, which has interfered with the process of raising funds for the administration of the Cattle Diseases Acts and for the payment of the expenses that would he incurred by compulsory slaughter such as that referred to. However, that difficulty will, I hope, be remedied by a Bill which has already passed this House, and the Irish Government has under its very careful consideration the question to which my hon. Friend refers. There are, however, still difficulties connected with the matter, arising from the manner in which the Cattle Diseases Acts are administered in Ireland, and I hope my hon. Friend will understand that I do not give any pledge upon the action that may be taken.