§ MR. BOLAND (Kerry, S.)I beg ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the disease of foul brood amongst bees is spreading over Ireland, and that only two counties are at present free from it; whether the Department of Agriculture is empowered to destroy infected stocks, and, if so, what steps have been taken; and whether, in the absence of such powers, he will introduce legislation to enable the Department to stamp out the disease and to pay the bee-keepers whose stocks are destroyed some compensation; and will he state what steps the Congested Districts Board will take with regard to the threatened destruction of an industry which has been promoted in many districts with their assistance.
§ THE CHIEF SECRETARY FOR IRELAND (Mr. WYNDHAM,) DoverThe disease is prevalent in Ireland. Where the owners of infected stocks in congested districts have allowed the officers of the Congested Districts Board to destroy them compensation has been paid. The Board has also defrayed the cost of experiments in treating diseased stocks. There is no statutory power, however, to compel their destruction, and the question of legislation is under consideration.