§ MR. FIELD (Dublin, St. Patrick)To ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant of Ireland whether he is aware that the disease of epizootic lymphangitis was introduced into Ireland by I troop horses which had returned from South Africa, and that the Government promised to provide safeguards to prevent its introduction; whether he can state what measures were taken, and also how many cases have occurred in Ireland, and with what result; whether he is aware that more recently the disease of glanders has also been introduced into Ireland by troop horses; and whether, under these circumstances, he will consider the advisability of asking the Treasury to recoup to borough and county councils, and, through them, to relieve the Irish ratepayers from the expense attending the compulsory slaughter of horses suffering from contagious diseases imported into Ireland by troop horses.
(Answered by Mr. Walter Long.) This Question is partly answered by my reply to the Question of the hon. Member for South Glamorgan on the 5th instant†.There have been nine outbreaks of epizootic lymphangitis on civilian premises in Ireland, and twenty-five affected animals have been slaughtered, including four horses "in contact." In addition, forty-two affected horses have been destroyed in military stables. It is not the case that glanders has been recently introduced into Ireland by troop horses, for the country has never been wholly free from that disease for the last twenty-five years. With regard to the last inquiry, I have already stated that the question there raised is under consideration.