HC Deb 03 March 1884 vol 285 cc363-4
MR. ARTHUR ARNOLD

asked the First Lord of the Treasury, Whether the statement by Lord Camperdown, in The Daily News of the 28th ult., that under the Contagious Diseases (Animals) Bill now before this House— Foreign animals will no longer be slaughtered at the port of landing; either they will be allowed to land freely, or they will not be allowed to land at all, is accurate; and, if so, whether, considering that this will close the Foreign Animals Wharves, Her Majesty's Government will undertake that the Bill, so gravely affecting the supply of food for the people, shall not be brought forward at an hour when these provisions cannot receive full and adequate discussion?

MR. GLADSTONE

I have not seen the words of Lord Camperdown's statement; but is, is not strictly and absolutely, although substantially, accurate. With regard to the inferential part of the Question, what I have to say is this—that as the points to be raised, in the view of Her Majesty's Government, would be best discussed in the stage of Committee, and as there is a fair and just desire in all parts of the House that this matter should be settled as speedily as possible, I hope the hon. Member will accept the assurance that we will take care that time is really available for the discussion in Committee, and that the other stages may be allowed to be taken without considerable discussion.