§ MR. WILLIAM O'BRIEN (Cork)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, having regard to the danger to the cattle and moans of livelihood of more than 200,000 small farmers and purchase-annuitants in Ireland from the free importation of the live cattle from Canada and the Western States of America, he will take care that Ireland shall be represented by at least one person practically acquainted with the Irish cattle trade on the proposed 885 Departmental Committee to inquire into the question of the meat supply of the United Kingdom.
§ MR. THOMAS O'DONNELL (Kerry, W.)I beg also to ask the President of the Board of Trade, whether in consideration of Ireland's interests in the cattle trade and in a view of the attempt that is being made to allow foreign store-cattle into this country, thereby laying the Home herds open to the risk of disease, he will appoint on the meat Committee at least two Members from Ireland who have a practical knowledge of the subject from the agricultural point of view.
§ MR. E. BARRY (Cork County, S.)At the same time may I ask the President of the Board of Trade whether, as Ireland is interested in the subject to be inquired into by the Departmental Committee appointed to inquire into the moat trade, he will appoint at least two representatives from Ireland who have a practical knowledge of the store and fat cattle industry as its affects the producer and the nation as a whole.
§ MR. CHURCHILLI have nothing to add to the Answer I gave on Saturday to the hon. and learned Member for Waterford when I said that I am reluctant to add to the number of the Committee by the appointment of representatives of special interests or views. It is a Departmental Committee. Its reference is strictly limited to the specific financial and economic aspects of the question, and it does not extend to recommendations affecting the conditions of the importation of cattle. I am still in communication with the hon. Member on the subject.
§ MR. GARDNER (Berkshire, Wokingham)I beg to ask the President of the Board of Trade if the reference to the proposed Departmental Committee on meat distribution will permit inquiries into the prevalence of disease in colonial and foreign countries, and the dangers of infection being conveyed to the United Kingdom and suggested removal of restrictions on importation of live cattle.
§ MR. CHURCHILLQuestions affecting the diseases of animals in the United Kingdom and elsewhere, or the importation of live cattle from abroad, do not 886 come within the terms of reference to the proposed Departmental Committee, which will be solely concerned with eliciting the facts as regards the effect of combinations on the meat supply of the United Kingdom.