§ MR. CHAPLIN (Lincolnshire, Sleaford), who had on the Paper the following question:—To ask the Vice Chamberlain whether, in view of the fact that the Animals (Amendment) Order of 1st March, 1889, was passed before the Privy Council were aware of the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease in Germany; that the Kingdom of the Netherlands is separated from Germany by a frontier of very considerable length, across which, in spite of all precautions, the disease may be conveyed; and that the importation of animals from the Netherlands under present circumstances cannot fail to increase the risk of re-introducing foot-and-mouth disease into the United Kingdom, the Government will consider the propriety of rescinding or suspending the Order in question, which provides for the admission of animals from the Netherlands into the interior of this country without being subject to slaughter or to quarantine? said: At the request of the Vice Chamberlain, I desire to postpone my question until to-morrow; but may I ask the First Lord of the Treasury whether we can rely upon receiving an answer to it to-morrow?
§ MR. CHARLES DARLING (Deptford)had also on the Paper the notice:—To ask the Vice Chamberlain whether it is the intention of the Lords of the Privy Council to permit the import of live sheep from the Netherlands, and not to require them to be slaughtered at the port of landing, on the ground that the sheep of the Netherlands are now free from foot-and-mouth disease; whether it is the intention to absolutely prohibit the landing of sheep from Germany on the ground that the German sheep are not free from such disease; and whether the Lords of the Privy Council intend no longer to enforce the Law concerning the slaughter of infected animals at ports of landing, but to permit the entrance of live sheep from countries free from disease, and absolutely to prohibit those coming from infected countries; and, if so, whether any provision will be made for the hundreds of people who will be thrown out of employment round Deptford Cattle Market?
§ *THE FIRST LORD OF THE TREASURY (Mr. W. H. SMITH)I must 1584 ask my right hon. Friend, and also my hon. and learned Friend the Member for Deptford (Mr. C. Darling), to postpone their questions until Monday. Inquiries are being made into the facts of the case, and, looking to the importance of the subject, I am sure my hon. Friends will see it is desirable we should have full information before we take any steps in the matter.