HC Deb 25 April 1901 vol 92 cc1335-6
MR. DILLON

I beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether the Department of Agriculture, before securing the services of a bacteriologist from France, conducted any inquiry into the question of † See Debates, Vol. xc., page 1593. the cause of the alleged increased mortality among calves; and whether farmers in the districts affected had been invited to give evidence of the subject; and, if so, whore the Reports of such inquiries can be seen.

MR. WYNDHAM

Before securing the services of Professeur Nocard the Limerick County Council, at the request of the Department, convened a conference of farmers from Cork, Tipperary, Kerry, Clare, and Limerick, to give evidence as to the extent and cause of disease. The conference was held at Limerick on the 8th December, and an account of the proceedings was published in the local press. No official report has been published, but I have called for a newspaper report, and will send it to the hon. Member when I receive it.

MR. DILLON

But was any evidence taken at the inquiry?

MR. WYNDHAM

I understand that the Department felt, after the information they obtained at the conference, that the next proper step was to call in an expert.

MR. DILLON

Then I take it no inquiry was held?

MR. WYNDHAM

I gather that is so.