§ 13. Mr. WHITTYasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he will now revoke the detention regulations on Irish cattle, seeing that the country has now been free from foot-and-mouth disease for about three years; and is he aware that the present long detention of 10 hours not only tends to increase the price of food but dislocates the cattle trade, causes loss to the owners, and does not improve the condition of the animals?
§ Sir R. WINFREYIn reply to the first part of the question, I will refer to the answer given to the hon. Member for West Waterford by my predecessor on the 12th instant. With regard to the last part, the Board's information does not support the contentions made therein. The trade having now settled down to the new conditions, appears to enjoy advantage by the arrangement. The period of rest, after 1123 landing, benefits the animals and improves their market value to an extent which more than covers the slight additional cost to the owners.
§ Mr. CRUMLEYWill the hon. Gentleman take into consideration the time of detention at the ports in Ireland and the detention in Great Britain, and will he not reduce that time to a minimum?
§ Sir R. WINFREYI will consider that point.