§ Order for Second Reading read.
§ *THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. H. GARDNER, Essex, Saffron Waldon) moved the Second Reading of this Bill. He said the measure gave effect to the wishes of agriculturists in the country that the Government should take over from the Local Authorities the suppression of swine fever. The Bill accordingly transferred the duty of stamping out the disease to the Board of Agriculture. The time was very opportune for allowing the Bill to come into operation, because the outbreaks of swine fever were fewer than they had been for some years. The Government proposed to give a sum of £50,000 to 1295 this desirable object. This Bill would relieve the local rates of the sums they now subscribed to stamp out swine fever, which it was generally admitted was money wasted, because it had no effect. But there was an appeal to the Local Taxation Fund, and it was upon that fund, if there was any expense, that it would finally fall.
§ Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Bill be now read a second time."—(Mr. H. Gardner.)
§ MR. CHAPLIN (Lincolnshire, Sleaford), on rising, was received with cries of "Agreed!" "Agreed!" from the Irish Benches.
§ MR. T. W. RUSSELL (Tyrone, S.)said, he objected to the Second Reading in consequence of the cries with which the right hon. Gentleman was greeted from the Benches opposite.
§ It being after Midnight, and Objection being taken to Further Proceeding, the Debate stood adjourned.
§ Debate to be resumed upon Monday next.