§ 67. Mr. DELANYasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to a statement made by an extensive dealer and exporter of cattle from Ireland to this country to the effect that, under the twelve hours' detention rule, through bookings have been discontinued by the railway companies; that cattle bought at Athlone intended for York market had first to be booked to Dublin, thence to Birkenhead, and after the detention period there they were sent by ferry boat to Liverpool, where they had again to be booked to their destination; that the absence of through booking in this case entailed an extra cost of 10s. per head on the cattle, exclusive of lairage charges; and whether he can say when this Order will be modified or revoked?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI am aware that in certain cases the rates charged for the conveyance of cattle from Ireland to markets in Great Britain have been raised. The circumstances contributing to account for the increase appear to be exceedingly complex, and are being investigated. The hon. Gentleman will have observed that efforts have recently been made by rail- 1186 way companies in many directions to increase their rates.
Dr. ESMONDEI desire to ask the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland) whether he can state the number of lambs exported to this country in the first four months of 1912 and 1913, respectively, and also the number last week and the number for the corresponding week in 1912?
§ Mr. T. W. RUSSELL (Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture, Ireland)The number of lambs exported from Ireland during the period from 1st January last to Saturday last, the 26th inst., inclusive, was 1,426. The number in the corresponding period of 1912 was 2,465. During the week ending Saturday last 778 lambs were shipped, as against 1,223 in the corresponding week of 1912.