HC Deb 09 August 1901 vol 99 cc302-3
MR. FIELD

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, in view of the few cases of rabies which occurred in Ireland lately, he will remove the restrictions existing which prevent dogs from passing between England and Ireland and vice versa.

*MR. HANBURY

A case occurred in Westmeath so recently as last April, and until Ireland has been free from any detected case of rabies for a much longer period than four months I cannot undertake to remove the existing restrictions.

AN HON. MEMBER

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware of the injustice done last season to a considerable number of greyhound owners, particularly in the north of Ireland? Cannot the right hon. Gentleman remove the restrictions for the coming season?

*MR. HANBURY

I cannot undertake to remove any restrictions at the risk of reintroducing the disease.

MR. LOUGH

Are not sporting dogs exempt from the restrictions?

*MR. HANBURY

No, not generally.

MR. FIELD

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware there have been no outbreaks of the disease for several months past?

*MR. HANBURY

There have been two already this year.