HC Deb 22 July 1878 vol 241 cc2084-6

Clause 33 (Prohibition of importation, slaughter, or quarantine).

MR. W. E. FORSTER moved that the clause be postponed until after the consideration of Clause 74. His object in bringing forward such a Motion was this. They had gone through the whole of the clauses intended to stamp out home diseases—pleuro-pneumonia and foot-and-mouth disease. Now they came to a clause dealing with foreign animals. But before they considered that clause, they ought to settle what was to be done with Irish animals; and, therefore, he would postpone Clause 33 until they reached Clause 74. True, the methods of stamping out disease in Ireland were to be the same as those adopted in England, discretion being given to the Privy Council. But there were two different bodies—England and Scotland being under the regulation of the Privy Council of England, and Ireland under the regulation of the Privy Council of that country. The result might be that different Orders would be given in England to those given in Ireland. Therefore, he thought they ought to see that different Orders were not given in the two countries before they dealt with the clause affecting foreign beasts.

SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON

consented to the postponement of the clause.

Clause postponed.

Clause 34 (Regulations of ports).

SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON moved, in page 18, at end of clause, to add, as a new paragraph— Notwithstanding anything in this Act, the Privy Council may, from time to time, if they think fit, in relation to any district or part of a district described in the Second Schedule, make any body, other than the body described in that Schedule, the local authority for the purposes of the provisions of this Act relating to foreign animals, and in connection with the local authority so made, prescribe the local rate, if any, and the clerk of the local authority. The Government had found it necessary with regard to certain places, and especially Liverpool, to give power to the Privy Council to create another local authority other than the actual local authority.

MR. WHITWELL

thought it would be very unreasonable to give the Privy Council power to set up any other local authority in counties than the one now in existence.

MR. W. E. FORSTER

could not gather from the speech of the Secretary to the Treasury why the power sought for should be given, and he opposed the new paragraph.

MR. PEASE

thought the proposal of the Government went too far, giving the Privy Council power to do as they liked throughout the country.

MR. RYLANDS

offered the strongest opposition in his power to the proposal. He could not at all understand why power should be given to create bodies to take the place of those already existing. The House did not at all know who were to take the place of the local authorities. The new bodies might be nominees for all the House knew. As his hon. Friend the Member for Liverpool (Mr. Rathbone) was not present, he would suggest to the hon. Baronet the Secretary to the Treasury as that place was so much interested, whether it would not be well to postpone the Amendment until the hon. Member was in his place.

SIR HENRY SELWIN-IBBETSON

said, he was quite willing to leave out this Amendment. He had consented to it because the hon. Member for Liverpool drew his attention to the subject; but as objection had now been taken to it, and the hon. Members for Liverpool were not in their place to defend the clause, he would not press it. Of course, it would be competent for the hon. Gentleman to bring the clause up again on Report, if they desired it should be accepted.

Amendment, by leave, withdrawn.

Clause, as amended, agreed to.