§ MR. BOULTON (Huntingdonshire, Ramsey)I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if any precautious are taken by the Board of Agriculture to ensure that ships engaged in the cattle trade between South American ports and Antwerp shall not be allowed to enter British ports without disinfection.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEY (Somersetshire, S.)Steps are taken to prevent the landing in Great Britain of manure, fodder, and cattle fittings from vessels engaged in the trade to which my hon. friend refers. The vessels themselves are disinfected very thoroughly by the Belgian authorities, and no special action; in this direction has hitherto been considered necessary in this country. We shall, however, be glad to make further inquiry into the matter, the result of which I will communicate to my hon. friend.