§ MR. BUCHANAN (Aberdeenshire, E.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether the Canadian Government has invited the Board of Agriculture to send out experts to Canada at the expense of the Canadian Government to determine whether contagious pleuro-pneumonia does or does not exist within the Dominion; and whether he will accept the offer, and thereby help to allay the dissatisfaction that is felt at the maintenance of the present restrictions on the trade?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. H. GARDNER, Essex, Saffron Walden)We have not received any formal invitation from the Canadian Government to the effect indicated in the question; but we have, on 759 more than one occasion, considered whether the adoption of the course proposed would be the best means of obtaining evidence as to the existence of pleuro-pneumonia in the Dominion. My own opinion is that the Canadian Government could themselves obtain additional information which would bear materially on the question at issue; and, as my hon. Friend will see from the Papers about to be laid on the Table, we have offered important suggestions as to the means by which we think this might be done.
§ MR. BUCHANANBut is it not the case that the right hon. Gentleman has received informal communication on the subject from the Agent General of Canada? Is it not the fact that the invitation has been sent because the Canadian Government wish to satisfy the right hon. Gentleman as to the real facts of the case?
§ MR. H. GARDNERThe Board of Agriculture is perfectly satisfied as to the facts, and by particular aspects presented by the cattle. I have, however, made certain suggestions to the Canadian Government which will be found in the Papers when presented.