HC Deb 13 January 1913 vol 46 cc1680-1
83. Mr. MOORE

asked the Vice-President of the Department of Agriculture (Ireland), if he is aware that the police at Moy and at Poyntzpass, in the county of Armagh, on Friday and Saturday last, the 3rd and 4th instant, prevented cattle being brought into these fairs from county Armagh, and thereby ruined the sale of cattle; whether the Order removing the restrictions was made on the 2nd January; why it was not notified in time for these fairs to the police in these districts; and if steps will be taken to prevent a similar recurrence, and consequent loss to farmers and others?

Mr. T. W. RUSSELL

The Order to which this question has reference was made and issued to the police on the 31st December. It did not affect the restrictions then applying to the Parliamentary Division of Mid-Armagh, which continued in force till revoked by a later Order on the 7th January. Consequently it was not allowable to move cattle from that Division to an external fair on either 3rd or 4th January. It was only movements from Mid-Armagh that the police seem to have interfered with in relation to the Moy and Poyntzpass fairs, and they acted correctly in doing so in the circumstances.

84. Mr. GINNELL

asked when the restrictions on the movement of animals still in force in the Mullingar scheduled area will be wholly removed?

Mr. RUSSELL

Probably within the next fortnight (except from the places on which the disease actually occurred) unless something unexpected happens in the meantime.

85. Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked whether, having regard to the new Regulations enforcing a period of detention at British and Irish ports of twelve and two hours, respectively, and having regard to the loss and inconvenience which this will entail upon Irish stock owners, he proposes to take any steps to compel Irish railway companies who undertake to convey live animals to markets or ports to deliver their freight within a stipulated time and without unnecessary delay?

Mr. RUSSELL

The enforcement of a requirement that railway companies should deliver animals carried over their lines to markets and ports of shipment within a stipulated time (assuming that there is power to prescribe such requirement) would in the view of the Department be impracticable. Other traffic besides that in live stock has to be dealt with by the companies, and apart from unavoidable delays that must from time to time occur en route it frequently happens that cattle specials cannot be dispatched at a given hour owing to late arrivals of the animals from fairs. When, however, specific cases of unnecessary delays in transit are brought under notice, the Department are ready to cause due inquiry to be made into them.

86. Mr. PATRICK WHITE

asked the Vice-President whether he will consider the advisability of empowering inspectors at Irish ports of embarkation to dispense with the feeding of animals in cases where the farms from which they came is in the vicinity of the port?

Mr. RUSSELL

It is not proposed to take the course suggested.