§ SIR THOMAS ESMONDE (Kerry, W.)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture if he will have the Dogs (Landing from Ireland) Order so amended as to allow dogs to be temporarily sent from Ireland to England for stud purposes, and to pass through England from Ireland to the ports of embarkation for transport to the United States, in view of the inconvenience and loss caused to the breeders of dogs in Ireland by the operation of the Order as it is at present enforced.
* MR. LONGIt would not, I fear, be practicable to make arrangements for the landing of dogs sent from Ireland to Great Britain for short periods for stud purposes, without endangering the success of the Order to which the hon. Baronet refers. The regulations already provide for the issue of licences, under certain conditions, in cases in which dogs are intended for exportation. I am glad to say that a material improvement in the position of Ireland in regard to rabies has recently taken place, and I hope, therefore, that before long any danger of the re-introduction of disease into this country may have disappeared, and that I may be able to withdraw the existing restrictions with safety.