§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEI beg to ask the Chief Secretary for Ireland a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether, having regard to the fact that the Port of Drogheda is twenty-three miles distant from the centre of the foot-and-mouth disease and is the natural port for the county of Meath, where no case has existed, he can state when the Department propose to open the port?
§ Mr. BIRRELLIt is now over a week since the last appearance of foot-and-mouth disease on one of the farms at Swords, and the Department are closely watching the situation there. Should the disease remain inactive till the close of the present week, so as to ensure that an ample period for incubation has passed, they will be prepared to recommend the opening of the ports of Dundalk and Newry from Monday next, and the ports of Drogheda and Dublin a week later for shipments of fat cattle for immediate slaughter. These ports have been kept closed for adequate reasons, and can only be opened with the disappearance of the danger indicated.
§ Mr. MOONEYI also wish to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture, in accordance with private notice, if he has seen an official statement of the Vice-President of the Board of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, Ireland, to the effect that he will advise the Board of Agriculture to remove the embargo on the ports of Newry and Dundalk on Monday next, and whether he is prepared to act on this advice?
§ The PRESIDENT of the BOARD AGRICULTURE (Mr. Runciman)I have seen a communication to the hon. Gentleman from the Vice-President of the Irish Department. I have also heard the telegram from the Vice-President which has just been read to the House by my right hon. Friend the Chief Secretary. If there is no further outbreak in Ireland, I propose to permit Irish fat cattle from 2061 Dundalk and Newry to be landed at Birkenhead, Glasgow, Deptford, or Bristol foreign animals' wharves for slaughter therein on Monday, 12th August.
§ Mr. PATRICK WHITEWill the right hon. Gentleman allow cattle to be landed from Drogheda in the following week?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot answer, as Drogheda is much nearer the centre of the recent outbreak.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYWill the right hon. Gentleman consider the question of allowing the landing of store cattle?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am not prepared to consider the question of the importation of store cattle.
§ Mr. NANNETTIWill this relief as to the opening of ports apply to Dublin?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANDublin is not only much nearer the centre of the outbreak, but it is actually within the scheduled area.
§ Mr. CLANCYBut the Chief Secretary has just stated that the same liberty would be given to Dublin as to Drogheda, and at the same time.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes. But I would point out that the importation of animals into England is a matter for the English Department, and it cannot divest itself of the responsibility which lay upon it and take a course which might lead to the admission of diseased animals.
§ Mr. CLANCYBut the Chief Secretary stated distinctly that a week after the removal of restrictions from Dundalk and Newry they would, in the event of no further cases occurring, be removed from Drogheda and Dublin.
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI quite understood the purport of the answer read by my right hon. Friend. But this is a question of opening English ports, and not Irish ports; and I have to consider it with reference to English conditions.
§ Mr. CLANCYDoes the right hon. Gentleman mean that, even if the Irish Department recommend the reopening of these ports, he will refuse to admit cattle from them into English ports?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI have not said that. I have said it is a matter we must decide in England.
§ Mr. FIELDMay I ask if in the event of Drogheda Port being opened next Monday the right hon. Gentleman will allow the import of cattle to be destroyed on landing? There will be no danger in that if the cattle are properly inspected.
§ Mr. STANIERHas the President of the Board of Trade any information regarding the reported outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease at Shrewsbury Market?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANYes, we received a report that foot-and-mouth disease had broken out in the Shrewsbury Market place, and we immediately despatched an inspector in order to confirm the report—one of the Board's most highly skilled veterinary officers. I am glad to say he reported it was not a case of foot-and-mouth disease, and therefore the preliminary steps taken in the county of Shrewsbury and surrounding districts were unnecessary.
§ Mr. BARNSTONHave there been any outbreaks in Cheshire or any other part of that county?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNone.
§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that very great anxiety prevails in Cheshire and the West of England at the ports of Birkenhead and Bristol remaining open for the importation of Irish cattle?
§ Mr. SPEAKERI think notice should be given of that question.