§ COLONEL MALCOLM (Argyllshire)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the practice of throwing over carcases from cattle ships in the immediate proximity of our coasts; and whether he will give this matter his best consideration, with a view of stopping this practice, which might lead to disastrous consequences owing to the carcases being washed on shore?
§ MR. CHAPLINI am not aware that any representations have recently reached my Department with regard to the practice to which my hon. Friend refers. Any person who throws the carcase of an animal which has died of disease or been slaughtered as diseased into the sea, within three miles from the shore, is liable to a penalty; and in the event of my becoming aware of the commission of such an offence, I should certainly take steps with a view to the institution of proceedings if the evidence were sufficient. But the offence is one which it is obviously very difficult to detect.