HC Deb 28 April 1913 vol 52 cc807-8
Mr. PATRICK WHITE

I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries a question of which I have given him private notice: Whether his attention has been called to last Thursday's reports of several prominent salesmen in the Dublin cattle market as to the falling off in the demand for lambs for shipment owing to the twelve hours' detention on this side. And whether, having regard to their statements as to the injury it is inflicting on the trade, and to the fact that less than half the number of lambs were imported from Ireland this year as compared with the corresponding period last year, he will make a statement that he will remove the twelve hours' detention of this class of animals in time to notify stock-owners before this week's Dublin market?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

I have seen the newspaper reports to which the hon. Member refers, and I am obliged to him for giving me this opportunity of saying that, not-withstanding the alarm naturally caused by the false statements which have recently been current in Ireland, the importation of Irish lambs into Great Britain has proceeded steadily during the last few days. The arrangements for feeding them during the period of detention have proved to be entirely satisfactory, and there is no foundation whatever for the allegations to the contrary, which have been circulated. No occasion has arisen up to the present for modifying the Order.

Mr. P. WHITE

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that last week the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) stated in this House that the number of lambs imported into this country this year was less than one-half the number for the corresponding period last year?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Yes. My right hon. Friend was answering a question with reference to a definite date. I have just stated that during the last few days the importation has proceeded quite normally.

Mr. P. WHITE

What does the right hon. Gentleman mean by a few days?

Mr. RUNCIMAN

Within the last week.

Mr. T. M. HEALY

That was a false statement.

Mr. FIELD

In consequence of the unsatisfactory nature of the right hon. Gentleman's reply, I beg to give notice that we shall be obliged to raise this matter on the Motion for the Adjournment, because it is a matter of extremely great importance.