HC Deb 19 December 1906 vol 167 cc1494-5
MR. FFRENCH (Wexford, S.)

To ask the President of the Local Government Board whether he is aware that a number of pigs which passed the Government veterinary inspectors at the port of embarkation were seized and destroyed in Birmingham in the interest of the public; and whether, as the owners have complied with every requirement of the law, he will insert a clause in his Bill now before the House which will provide compensation for all such losses in future.

(Answered by Mr. John Burns.) I am aware that pigs coming from Ireland are examined by Government veterinary inspectors at the port of embarkation, and I presume that it is to this inspection that the hon. Member refers. I am not able to state the exact proportion of Irish pigs sent to Birmingham, but I †See Col. 664. understand that, whilst the number of them is much larger than that of English pigs, the percentage condemned for tuberculosis is much smaller. The Bill mentioned in the last part of the Question has now been withdrawn.