§ MR. FIELDI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, seeing that there have been only two outbreaks of rabies in Ireland during the year 1901, he will consider the advisability of withdrawing the Order preventing dogs crossing and recrossing the Channel.
§ *MR. HANBURYThe Order does not prevent dogs from crossing the Channel and coming to this country. It imposes certain conditions which, as the last case of rabies only occurred in April last, I do not yet think it safe to modify.
§ MR. FIELDThe right hon Gentleman has not answered the latter part of my question. Will he withdraw the restriction on the dogs recrossing?
§ *MR. HANBURYThere is no restriction on their leaving this country, it is only on their coming into it.
§ MR. JOHN REDMONDCan the right hon. Gentleman hold out any hope that the restriction will be speedily removed?
§ *MR. HANBURYI cannot say speedily. A reasonable period of time must be allowed to elapse to make sure the country is free from disease.
§ MR. SHEEHANIn view of the approaching coursing season, will the restrictions be removed for greyhounds?
§ *MR. HANBURYCertain exemptions were made and have been taken advantage of.