§ SIR E. BIRKBECK (Norfolk, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that on the 4th instant five Irish Judges decided that the dishorning of cattle was legal, and that three Scotch Judges have also given a similar decision; whether he is aware that the result of the case of "Forde v. Wiley" in the Court of Queen's Bench in England seriously affected the agricultural interest in Norfolk; and whether, taking into consideration the importance of this matter to the agricultural industry, he will take the necessary steps to make the law uniform throughout the United Kingdom?
§ DR. TANNER (Cork Co., Mid)I beg also to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that the Scottish and Irish Law Courts have now decided contrary to the decision in the Court of Queen's Bench in England, on the question of the dishorning of cattle; and if, under the circumstances, the Agricultural Department can take steps to ensure a judicial review of the case of "Forde v. Wiley"?
§ MR. CHAPLINMy attention has been called to the fact that five Irish and three Scotch Judges have given a decision to the effect that the dishorning of cattle was legal, and that the opposite decision given by the Court of Queen's Bench in England in the case of" Forde v. Wiley" has given rise to some complaint among agriculturists in Norfolk. The case of "Forde v. Wiley" was decided two years ago by the Queen's Bench Division on a case stated by the Norfolk Justices. I am advised that in such cases there is no appeal to a higher Court, and in any case it would not be competent for the Board of Agriculture to obtain a judicial review of a case to which he was not a party. The hon. Baronet asks me if I will take the necessary steps to make the law uniform throughout the United Kingdom; but uniform in which direction? Do I understand him to mean that uniformity should be attained by making dishorning legal or illegal throughout the Kingdom? [Sir E. BIRKBECK: Legal.] I have read the decision of the Judges in "Forde v. Wiley," and a good deal of the evidence, and I should not be prepared to introduce measures to legalise the operation of dishorning, which appears to be one of excruciating pain to the animals which are dishorned. I am of opinion, however, that a solution of the question might possibly be found by making the dishorning of calves permissible up to a certain age—say six months, when the horns, I believe, can be removed without much difficulty or pain, and illegal after that age; and if I found any general support for that suggestion, I should be prepared to further consider it. I must guard myself, however, against giving anything in the nature of a pledge, for I am still awaiting further information on the subject.
§ COLONEL WARING (Down, N.)Will the right hon. Gentleman endeavour to obtain further information from the best sources?
§ MR. CHAPLINYes, Sir; I am endeavouring to obtain further information.