§ MR. DALY (Monaghan, S.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that serious loss is occasioned to Irish pig breeders on account of pigs bred in Ireland not being allowed to be kept by the people of Scotland and England for the purpose of fattening; that the people of Great Britain suffer great loss owing to the rules of local authorities, which prevent them from keeping Irish reared pigs for fattening purposes; that the returns of the Veterinary Department are highly satisfactory as to the soundness of pigs exported from Ireland; and if he will, under the circumstances, open all markets in Great Britain for their sale?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. H. LONG,) Liverpool, West DerbyI have no doubt that any restrictions placed on the free movement of stock entail a certain amount of loss upon all concerned, whilst they remain in force, but I think it may be assumed that local authorities impose such restrictions only after carefully weighing the pros and cons of the matter. I do not feel that I could properly withdraw from them the powers they possess to thus protect themselves. With regard to Ireland, I can only say that outbreaks of swine fever continue to occur in many parts of that country, and I am afraid that it is the case that pigs capable of conveying the infection do from time to time cross the Channel.
§ MR. DALYIs it not the fact that the Returns from the Veterinary Department are highly satisfactory, so far as pigs exported from Ireland are concerned?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREI shall be glad to hear there is an improvement, but I am afraid the facts remain as stated in the answer I have just given.