HC Deb 28 November 1912 vol 44 cc1478-9
49. Mr. C. BATHURST

asked the Prime Minister whether, in view of the fact that the trade in Irish cattle is wholly with Great Britain, and of the prolonged dislocation of such trade on the outbreak of a serious contagious disease in Ireland, which results from the divided control of two separate and wholly independent Government Departments, he will consider the advisability of appointing an Inter-departmental Committee to promote co-operation between the two Departments in such eventuality?

50. Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked the Prime Minister whether, having regard to the dislocation of the cattle trade between Great Britain and Ireland this year, in consequence of the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease, and to the opinion in both countries that the regulations governing transit of cattle from one country to the other should be put on a permanent base, and to the difference of opinion as to the fairness of existing regulations expressed by the Vice-President of the Irish Board of Agriculture as to the action of the English Board of Agriculture, and to the fact that the Cabinet has to decide between the contending Ministers, especially when one Minister has a seat in the Cabinet and the other has not, he will consider the advisability of appointing some advisory body or committee to hear evidence from whomsoever they consider advisable, and place before the Cabinet or this House Regulations founded thereon, or such modification of existing Regulations as they consider equitable, and calculated to maintain the continuity of the trade between the two countries without undue risk to either country?

The PRIME MINISTER

I cannot accept the assumptions on which both hon. Members base their suggestions. The two Departments to which they refer are equally concerned to prevent any avoidable dislocation of the Irish cattle trade; they are in constant and harmonious cooperation, and I have no reason to suppose that they need any extraordinary assistance to enable them to reconcile the different points of view which they quite properly have to represent to one another from time to time.

Viscount HELMSLEY

Did not the two Departments in question take different views as to the policy necessary to stamp out, the disease at its inception?

The PRIME MINISTER

We are all acquainted with the facts. The Departments came to a complete arrangement for co-operation.

Mr. C. BATHURST

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that the recent anxiety of British stockowners which has resulted in the non-withdrawal of these restrictions, has been mainly due to their distrust of divided control of a common industry?

The PRIME MINISTER

I do not like to express any opinion about that myself, but if any difference does arise between the two Departments, it comes before the Government for consideration and determination.

Mr. KILBRIDE

A great deal of the distrust of the Irish Department is due to the fact that the Vice-President sits on the Government Benches.

Mr. MOORE

He always sat on the Government Benches.