§ MR. RANKIN (Herefordshire, Leominster)asked the Vice Chamberlain whether it was true that an Order in Council had been made for the free admission of Dutch cattle into Great Britain, which said Order is to come into force on the 1st of June; whether the Privy Council are perfectly satisfied that no foot and mouth disease or pleuro-pneumonia exists in Holland; and, if so, how long that country has been perfectly free from those contagious diseases; whether those diseases are prevalent in Belgium and Germany, and, if so, what precautions have been taken by the Dutch Government to 388 prevent their re-introduction from those countries, and from thence to Great Britain?
§ THE VICE CHAMBERLAIN (Viscount LEWISHAM,) LewishamIn accordance with the fourth paragraph of the fifth schedule to the Cattle Diseases Act of 1878, the Privy Council have passed the order referred to admitting Dutch cattle and sheep without being subject to slaughter at the port of landing. The Netherlands Government have satisfied the Privy Council that pleuro-pneumonia and foot and mouth disease do not exist in that country. The last case of the former was reported in 1887 (a solitary case), and of the latter in 1885. These diseases are reported to exist in Belgium and Germany; but the importation and transit of animals from other countries are prohibited by the Netherlands Government.