HC Deb 15 August 1882 vol 273 c1833
SIR WALTER B. BARTTELOT

asked the Secretary of State for War, Whether the statement in a letter in the "Times" of August 14th, and written by Mr. George Fleming, F.R.C.V.S. is correct, that 300 head of Russian cattle had been sent from Odessa to Limasol for the use of the Troops in Cyprus and in Egypt; and, considering the terrible character of the rinderpest, and that it usually, if not invariably, follows the free import of Russian cattle, steps are being or will be taken to prevent so great a calamity to Cyprus and to Egypt as the introduction of that fatal disease?

MR. CHILDERS

Sir, in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend, I have to say that since 1878 all supplies of beef for the troops in Cyprus have come from Odessa. The arrangements for this purpose were made in the time of the late Government, and great care has been taken to prevent any ill-results such as the introduction of rinderpest. The measures adopted for this purpose have been completely successful, and I have no doubt will continue to be so.