§ MR. MAGUIREOn behalf of the hon. Member for the St. Patrick's Division of Dublin, I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether any official Return has been given of the number of live stock killed and injured in cross-channel traffic during the recent gale; whether any complaints have been received alleging that certain boats were not properly trimmed in cargo; whether any representations have been made respecting undue delay in discharging shipments, and also delay in notifying to stock-owners the conditions of their perishable property; and whether the Government will institute an inquiry into the circumstances of this matter, and of the general conditions of cross-channel transit?
§ MR. H. GARDNERNo statistical information is available with regard to the losses of live stock in transit from Ireland to England during the recent gale, but there is no doubt that the losses were of a serious character, and I have caused careful inquiry to be made respecting them. The result goes to show that they were due to the exceptionally heavy weather experienced, and not to any breach of the requirements of our Orders, and I am informed that a similar conclusion was arrived at by the officers of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals who inspected all the vessels on arrival. No complaints or representations have reached me with regard to the matters mentioned in the second and third paragraphs of the question. With respect to the concluding suggestion of my hon. Friend, I may say that a general inquiry into the conditions under which the cross-channel trade in cattle is carried on was instituted in 1889, and I scarcely think that a new investigation at the present time would be productive of any advantage. I should be very glad, however, to consider any specific suggestions or criticisms with regard to the existing Orders which either the hon. Member or any of those interested in this important matter may be in a position to make.