HC Deb 21 February 1905 vol 141 cc757-8
MR. FIELD

To ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the Board of Agriculture, whether he is aware that a patent humane cattle car has not been allowed by the railway companies of Great Britain to be used; and. if so, whether he will take steps to secure that the great carrying corporations shall not be permitted, against the public interest and the improved carriage of live stock, to prevent a trial of a more humane method of live stock transit.

(Answered by Mr. Ailwyn Fettowes.) We wore not aware that the railway companies in Great Britain had refused to allow the cattle car referred to in the Question to be used on their lines. It is, I presume, the car patented by Mr. John Rooth in 1894 and 1895, and now the property of the Humane Cattle Car and Shipping Fittings Company, Limited. The matter is not one in regard to which we have any power to intervene, but I may refer the hon. Member to the provisions of Section 117 of The Railway Clauses Act, 1845, which prohibits the use of carriages on a railway which are not constructed according to the company's regulations.

MR. FIELD

To ask the hon. Member for North Huntingdonshire, as representing the Board of Agriculture, whether he can state what measures the President of the Board of Agriculture has taken, or if he intends to make recommendations, to ensure the more speedy, safe, and humane transit of live stock on land and cross-channel journeys; whether he will take

Military Works
Year Halifax, Bermuda. Jamaica. St. Lucia and Barbadoes.
£ £ £ £
1895–1896 13,000 14,200 10,300 19,100
1896–1897 17,100 16,600 11,400 12,200
1897–1898 14,900 19,200 14,200 22,500
1898–1899 26,300 30,500 34,500 53,500
1899–1900 44,900 45,300 14,600 64,600
1900–1901 24,500 55,300 35,200 59,700
1901–1902 54,400 80,900 22,100 81,200
1902–1903 44,000 46,000 21,200 95,300
1903–1904 42,500 47,900 29,500 62,000

into consideration the need of insisting on a minimum rate of speed on railways, and improved cattle trucks, also better accommodation and ventilatioa on ships.

(Answered by Mr. Ailwyn Fettowes.) The carriage of live stock in Great Britain and coastwise is regulated by The Animals (Transit and General) Order, 1895, supplemented by an Amendment Order passed last year. These Orders, copies of which I shall be glad to supply to the hon. Member, have for their object the safeguarding of cattle from all unnecessary hardship during transit by land or sea, and contain amongst their requirements special provisions dealing with the construction of vessels and cattle trucks. A further amendment of the Order is not contemplated at the present time, but we are always very ready to inquire into any specific complaints of delay or injury which may be brought to our notice.