MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether the Railway Department of the Board of Trade has the power, and, if so, will it exercise the power, to require railway companies to convey live stock at a reasonable minimum speed per hour, so as to obviate unnecessary and frequently cruel detention of animals in transit alai delivery?
§ MR. MUNDELLAThere is no power vested in the Board of Trade to compel railway companies to adopt a minimum speed for any species of traffic; but if any case of cruelty to animals arising from detention is brought to my notice I will inquire into it.
MR. FIELDWill the right hon. Gentleman interfere officially if it is proved to him that, as a matter of fact, cattle had been detained 30 hours over a journey that could have been performed in half the time.
§ MR. MUNDELLAIf the hon. Gentleman will give me specific cases I will inquire into them.