§ Mr. FIELDI desire to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture for Ireland a question, of which I have given private notice, namely, Whether he is now able to state what steps he is taking with regard to foot-and-mouth disease, which has almost disappeared from Ireland?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELL (Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, Ireland)With the concurrence of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries, the Department propose to issue an Order to-morrow relieving the counties of Kildare and Wicklow of all restrictions on the movement of cattle. On Thursday a similar Order will be issued for the Fermanagh area, including the counties of Cavan and Leitrim. These Orders will clear the whole country save and except the area around Mullingar.
§ Mr. FLAVINCan the hon. Gentleman make a statement as to the removal of the quarantine?
§ Mr. RUSSELLThere are constant communications going on between the two Departments.
§ Mr. FLAVINWill the hon. Gentleman say when he expects the quarantine to be-removed?
§ Mr. RUSSELLMy hon. Friend had better ask that question of the President of the English Board of Agriculture.
§ Mr. FLAVINCan the right hon. Gentleman give any approximate date when the quarantine period will be reduced, especially in those ports where there have been no cases at all?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI cannot give any approximate date, but the matter is being considered.
§ Mr. J. O'CONNORSimultaneously with the issue of the Orders in Ireland, will the right hon. Gentleman also permit cattle to be moved in sealed trucks from, Holyhead to Deptford?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat is an entirely different question. The matter is now receiving consideration.
§ Sir J. B. LONSDALEWill the proposed relief extend to hay imported from Ireland?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANNo.