§ MR. KNOWLES (Salford, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the following Report of the Veterinary Inspector to the Health Committee of Salford:—
February 19th. Whilst on duty I saw a waggon consigned to a dealer, which waggon contained 28 live sheep and nine live swine; also two dead sheep with the heads attached to the skin; also several bones of another sheep which had been devoured by the pigs. I afterwards examined the two carcases, which were unfit for human food;and whether he will consider the desirability of issuing such directions to those interested in the transit of cattle, &c., as will prevent a recurrence of the circumstances thus described?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. CHAPLIN,) Lincolnshire, SleafordI have seen the Report to which my hon. Friend refers, and, although it is not very clear, I presume it is directed to the question of overcrowding. Upon inquiry, I find that the animals in question were conveyed to their destination by rail, and I have ordered an investigation to be made with a view to ascertain whether there has been any breach of the Order of the Board which prescribes that railway trucks shall not be overcrowded so as to cause unnecessary suffering to the animals therein. I think it will be found that the case is one which is fully met by the existing regulations.