§ Mr. BOWERMANasked the Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs whether any representations have been made lately by the Argentine, Danish, Dutch, Norwegian, or other Governments regarding the freedom of the flocks and herds of their respective countries from disease; whether any requests have been made by the Argentine or other Governments that the restrictions on the importation into Great Britain of animals from their respective countries for slaughter should be relaxed or removed; what replies thereto have been given by the Foreign Office; and whether he can lay any Paper upon the Table relating to the subject?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY for FOREIGN AFFAIRS (Mr. McKinnon Wood)A request has been received from the Argentine Government that the prohibition against the importation into this country of cattle from districts of the Argentine Republic unaffected by foot-and-mouth disease should be removed. In order that the matter may be considered the Argentine Government have been asked to be good enough to furnish detailed information as to the steps taken either by the Federal or the Provincial Governments to deal with the suppression of the disease. A request has also been received from the Danish Government that live sheep from Ireland may be allowed to be imported 2276 into the United Kingdom. They have been informed that there is nothing to prevent importation provided the sheep are slaughtered at the port of landing. No communications have been received from the Dutch or Norwegian Governments on the subject. In the circumstances I do not propose to lay any Paper upon the Table.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYAm I correct in thinking that the Foreign Office instead of the Board of Agriculture has taken upon itself to deal with this question of the importation of sheep and cattle from foreign countries, or do they consult the Board of Agriculture? This is not a diplomatic matter; it is an agricultural matter.
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODThe Foreign Office does not treat it as a matter apart from the Board of Agriculture. At all events, the Board of Agriculture always decides these questions on the merits. This is a matter of diplomatic communication with the Argentine.
§ Mr. T. M. HEALYWill the hon. Gentleman make it clear that no concession of a diplomatic character will be made to those countries as against the interests of agriculture?
§ Mr. C. W. BOWERMANMay I ask whether, in view of the difficulty of getting the Board of Agriculture to move in this matter, that His Majesty's Government will consider the property of removing the restrictions at present prevailing?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODThat is certainly not a matter for the Foreign Office.
§ Mr. H. A. WATTMay I ask why the Argentine is treated differently from the United States in the matter of the importation of cattle?
§ Mr. McKINNON WOODI am not aware the Argentine is treated differently. The Argentine Government made certain representations to us and we have asked them for certain information.