§ MAJOR RASCH (Essex, S.E.)I beg to ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether, with reference to the recent outbreaks of pleuro-pneumonia in Essex and elsewhere, ho will take into consideration the petition so frequently made that compensation for slaughter be paid out of the Consolidated Fund?
§ * THE CHANCELLOR OF THE EXCHEQUER (Mr. GOSCHEN,) St. George's, Hanover SquareThe hon. Member must be aware of the extreme difficulties which beset the payment of compensation out of a central fund—difficulties which no Government has yet seen its way to surmount. I am not unaware of the arguments in favour of such payment, but I cannot but be alive at the same time to the very strong consideration on the other side.
§ MAJOR RASCHMay I ask if it is not the case that compensation is paid for cattle compulsorily slaughtered under the Cattle Plague Act, and, if so, why should not animals suffering from pleuro-pneumonia and compulsorily slaughtered be placed on the same footing?
§ * MR. GOSCHENI must ask the hon. and gallant Member to repeat the question upon some other day.