§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture a question, of which I have given private notice, namely: Whether, having regard to the fact that all cases of foot-and-mouth disease have disappeared from Ireland, and that the restrictive Orders in reference to the cattle trade have been removed from that country, a few days will be given to permit of cattle coming from Ireland to be distributed to the markets of Edinburgh and Perth without the twenty-one days' isolation which is now required?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANOwing to inadvertence in connection with the hon. Gentleman's notice, I have not been able to consider his suggestion at length, but I understand that it would interfere with the precautions which we are now taking. The twenty-one days' isolation which will take place under the new Order is only a temporary precaution, which I hope will soon be rendered unnecessary.
§ Mr. SWIFT MacNEILLWill the right hon. Gentleman consider whether cattle coming within this category could be distributed in private fields in Edinburgh and Perth, thereby doing away with all chance of contagion?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI will consider the point. At first sight it does not seem advisable to interfere with the precautions at present being taken.
§ Mr. FIELDI beg to give notice that I shall raise this question on the Motion for Adjournment to-night, in order that we may have an explanation on various points connected therewith.
§ Mr. FLAVINHow soon does the right hon. Gentleman hope to be able to allow store cattle and fat cattle from Ireland to go into English markets?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANAs soon as the twenty-one days' regulation is removed they will be free to enter English markets, and, as I have already said, I hope that that will be at an early date.
§ Sir JOHN LONSDALEDoes that apply also to the exportation of hay from Ireland?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThat is quite another matter. I shall make a statement on that subject next week.