HC Deb 13 April 1905 vol 145 cc68-9
MR. J. P. FARRELL (Longford, N.)

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture whether, before imposing restrictions on the importation of Irish swine into England, his Department had communications with the Irish Department of Agriculture; whether the latter made any protest against, or objection to, the proposed action of the English Department; whether he is in communication with the Irish Department to ascertain when swine fever may have so abated as to allow of the rescission of the existing Order; and whether he can hold out now any hope for a change in the Order at a near date.

* THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE (Mr. AILWYN FEL LOWES,) Huntingdonshire, Ramsey

The Answer to the first two inquiries is in the affirmative. With regard to the third and fourth, I may say that we receive from the Irish Department weekly returns of the number of out breaks of swine fever in Ireland, but, in the absence of any general restrictions on I the movement of swine in Ireland, I cannot hold out any hope of the relaxation of the Order at present.

MR. FLAVIN (Kerry, N.)

asked whether the members appointed under the Board of Agriculture Act considered this Order before it was issued?

* MR. AILWYN FELLOWES

The Order was issued after full communication with the Irish Department.

MR. FLAVIN

But did the Committee appointed under the Act in England ever meet to consider it, and if so, when?

* MR. AILWYN FELLOWES

The whole question was considered by the port sanitary authorities at Southampton Board of Agriculture.

MR. FLAVIN

Where?

MR. SPEAKER

Order, order!