§ 75. Mr. PATRICK WHITEasked the Chief Secretary for Ireland whether, upon the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in that country last year, the Department of which he is President consulted the Irish Law Officers as to the legality of the action of the English Department in acting as they did towards Irish stock by refusing animals from areas healthy for the past thirty years being sent to markets in Great Britain; if he will circulate with the Votes a copy of the case submitted and the opinion received; whether he is aware that, in the opinion of some lawyers and others, the action of the English Department towards Ireland last year was that recited in the Act authorising its coming into existence as applicable to foreign 853 animals coming to Great Britain from without the United Kingdom; and whether he has acquainted himself with the promises made in the speeches of the Ministers and others responsible for the introduction of the Bill that Ireland would in reality be treated as a part of the United Kingdom?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Irish Law Officers were not consulted on the point mentioned, as action corresponding in general character to that of the Board of Agriculture and Fisheries had been taken from time to time in previous years by the Department, with a view to safeguard Ireland from the introduction of disease from Great Britain. The Department's Orders for this purpose were approved by the then existing Law Officers before issue.
§ Mr. WHITEDid the Irish Department consult their own Law Officers before they took the same action with regard to English cattle?
§ Mr. BIRRELLThe Department's Orders were approved by the Law Officers.