§ 11. Captain DIXONasked the Chief Secretary whether he is aware that Irish officers who sold their own horses to the Government at the beginning of the War and are now enabled to repurchase them, and Irish officers who have been permitted to purchase their favourite charger under War Office authority, are not permitted to bring those horses back to Ireland owing to the restrictions of the Department of Agriculture; and whether, owing to the hardship upon Irish officers through this Regulation, he will have exceptions made in the case of horses belonging to them?
§ Mr. SAMUELSThe Department of Agriculture in Ireland, after full consideration of the general question, deemed it necessary as a precaution against the introduction into Ireland of disease to veto the importation for private use in Ireland of any horses coming from the theatres of war, and the War Office authorities have accepted this decision. The Regulation in question is, of course, a source of disappointment in such cases as those referred to by the hon. Member, but the Department would not feel justified, in view of their responsibility in relation to the health of the livestock of the country, in allowing any exceptions to the Regulation.
§ Sir E. CARSONMay I ask my right hon. Friend whether, having regard to the very small number of horses involved, it would not be possible in some way to put them into quarantine and have them brought to Ireland, having regard to the great interest and dissatisfaction there is amongst officers about this rule?
§ Mr. SAMUELSI shall take care to have that suggestion of my right hon. Friend conveyed to the Vice-President of the Department.