§ MR. LENG (Dundee)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in consideration of the importance of British agriculturists, importers, and shipowners being able to make their arrangements for the ensuing season, he will now state what course the Board intend to take with respect to the restrictions on the importation of Canadian cattle?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. H. GARDNER,) Essex, Saffron Walden;After the most careful consideration of the various facts which have been brought under my notice in connection with this matter, I have arrived at the conclusion that I should not be justified in restoring the privilege of free entry in the case of Canadian cattle until I am in possession of the additional evidence which would be afforded by a systematic examination, extending over a reasonable and sufficient period, of the lungs of the cattle landed here for slaughter at the port. I 206 trust that the result of such an examination may be to confirm the view that the requirement of slaughter at the port can be waived with reasonable security against the importation of diseased animals, in which case, and in the absence of any unfavourable news from Canada, I consider that I should be bound under the Statute to allow free entry to be resumed.
§ MR. GARDNERNo; I cannot do that. It shall not be prolonged beyond the period absolutely necessary for the examination, and the more rapidly the cattle are brought in the more quickly will it be possible to come to a decision.