§ MR. J. SEYMOUR KEAY (Elgin and Nairn)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that it is much more difficult under present regulations to export cattle and sheep from Scotland to Ireland than from Ireland to Scotland; that in the former case an agent has to be employed in Dublin to apply at the Castle for permission; that a declaration has to be signed, a veterinary surgeon's certificate obtained, and other forms gone through, involving delay and expense, notwithstanding that Scotland has a clean bill of health; whereas in the latter case the sole form gone through consists of a hurried inspection by the Government veterinary surgeon while the animals are being shipped; and whether any sufficient reasons exist for the great difference of procedure in the two cases; and, if not, whether the Government will take steps to place the Scottish and Irish exporters on an equal footing?
§ MR. HERBERT GARDNERI understand that the regulations with regard to the importation of cattle and sheep from Great Britain into Ireland are substantially those stated by my hon. Friend. Having regard to the different circumstances which exist, I cannot say that they seem to me in excess of the requirements of the case, but I should be happy to communicate with the Irish Authorities and to endeavour to obtain for Scottish exporters as full facilities as possible consistent with the maintenance of the present satisfactory position of Ireland with regard to the health of cattle and sheep.