§ MR. HUNT (Shropshire, Ludlow)I beg to ask the hon. Member for South Somerset, as representing the President of the Board of Agriculture, if it is proposed to open British ports to the importation of any colonial or foreign store cattle.
§ SIR EDWARD STRACHEY (Somerset shire, S.)I am not in a position as yet to add anything to the reply which my noble friend gave on this subject to the deputation which he received from the Free Importation of Canadian Cattle Association on the 5th ultimo. I shall be happy to supply the hon. Member with a verbatim Report of the proceedings on that occasion. My noble friend has arranged to receive a further deputation on the 6th inst., at which the views of the Central Chamber of Agriculture and other agricultural bodies are to be submitted to him, and, as the hon. Member is aware, a Bill on the subject has been introduced by my hon. friend the Member for Newcastle, the Second Reading of which is fixed for Friday the 6th April. On both these occasions further statements as to the position of the Government in the matter will be made.
In answer to a further question Sir EDWARD STRACHEY promised to consider 1315 if the Report could be laid for the convenience of Members.