§ MR. KNOWLES (Salford, W.)I beg to ask the vice chamberlain if the statement has been brought to his notice that, in 1878, 16,250 German sheep, in 1879, 5,000 Spanish cattle, and, in 1880, 1,120 Spanish cattle were sold in the Salford Cattle Market; if he is aware that, in consequence of the prohibition on the landing of Foreign animals in the United Kingdom, especially at Birkenhead, which is now in force, the market has been greatly injured; and, whether he will take steps to remove or 697 relax the restrictions upon the importation of cattle and sheep from countries such as the United States, Spain, and Belgium, where, according to good information, cattle disease does not now prevail?
§ THE VICE CHAMBERLAIN (Viscount LEWISHAM,) LewishamThe statement is not correct as to German sheep. German sheep have been landed for slaughter only, or totally prohibited since January, 1877. Cattle from Spain were not subject to slaughter at the ports until June 19, 1881, consequently there was nothing to prevent the sale of Spanish cattle in Salford Market up to that date. With regard to Belgium and the United States of America, the information in the possession of the Privy Council shows that cattle disease does exist in both these countries. And with reference to Spain, the Privy Council are not satisfied as to the laws regulating the importation of animals into that country. Under all these circumstances, the Privy Council do not propose at present to make any alteration respecting the landing of animals from the countries named in the hon Gentleman's question.
§ MR. KNOWLESIs it the fact that the importation of cattle to this country from foreign countries where the cattle disease does not prevail is prohibited because there is no prohibition of importation into these countries from countries where the disease does prevail?
§ VISCOUNT LEWISHAMI must ask the hon. Member to give notice of that question.