§ MR. O'DONNELLasked the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, Whether it is true that rinderpest was introduced last year into Egypt from Odessa with the cattle for the supply of British troops; whether all precautions against the progress of the disease were rendered impossible by the disbandment of the Egyptian army and police, and by the dismissal or imprisonmont of the local authorities; whether the rinderpest has raged for the past four months in Egypt without any measures to check its ravages; whether it is true that nearly three-fourths of the cattle of the Egyptian peasantry, including almost the whole of the draught and plough oxen, have perished of the pestilence; and, whether Her Majesty's Government intend to take any steps to aid the peasantry in their distress?
§ LORD EDMOND FITZMAURICESir, the Foreign Office are not aware that the cattle plague was introduced into Egypt in the manner stated by the hon. Member; but they have reason to believe that it has been for some time prevalent in parts of Egypt, and has committed considerable injury. I am not able to state the exact proportion of cattle which has perished. Lord Dufferin's despatch contains the views of Her Majesty's Government in regard to the best means of alleviating the losses of the peasantry.
§ MR. O'DONNELLasked whether the noble Lord had seen a statement that the cattle disease had been arrested because there were no more cattle to die?
§ No reply.