§ MR. J. McKILLOP (Stirlingshire)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture (1) whether he is aware that I he number of cattle sold by live weight at the auction mart at Falkirk is very large as compared with the majority of the 268 markets named in the Schedule to the Markets and Fairs (Weighing of Cattle) Act of 1891; and (2) whether he will consider the propriety of including Falkirk in the list of places in respect of which Returns of the number of animals weighed and sold either by live weight or otherwise are obtained and published?
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD or AGRICULTURE (Mr. WALTER LONG,) Liverpool, West DerbyYes, I am aware that special efforts have been made to encourage the practice of selling cattle by live weight at the mart referred to, and from the fact that, as I am informed, the number of cattle so sold at Falkirk during the year 1896–7 exceeds the number priced and weighed at the majority of the towns from which statutory returns are received, it is clear that those efforts have been attended with a considerable measure of success. I think the suggestion made in the second paragraph of the Question is a good one, and I will endeavour to give effect to it so soon as a convenient opportunity presents itself.