CAPTAIN CRAIGI beg to ask the Chief Secretary to the Lord-Lieutenant 299 of Ireland whether, in view of the number of cases which have recently come to light of cattle suffering injury through being driven many miles off farms in the darkness of night, he will issue a memorandum counteracting the statement made, on behalf of the Government, by the Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture, that cattle-driving did no harm either to man or beast.
§ * MR. BIRRELLI am not aware that my hon. friend the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture has made on behalf of the Government any statement with reference to cattle-driving. It is, however, the fact that in the great majority of cases which have come under the notice of the police there has been little actua1 cruelty to the cattle. In some cases the animals have been exhausted from over-driving, and in a few cases lameness has been observed. The Question appears to suggest that my hon. friend has made some statement in palliation of cattle-driving. I have not had an opportunity of communicating with him upon the subject since the Question was put down.
CAPTAIN CRAIGIs it not the fact that the President of the Board of Agriculture actually made this statement and has not denied having done so? In view of the increasing number of cases in which the cruelty to animals driven at night have been admitted by the right hon. Gentleman will he issue from the Irish office a Memorandum pointing out the cruelty?
§ * MR. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must give notice of the Question.