§ Captain REDMOND(by Private Notice) asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any further outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease has occurred in Ireland Since that reported from New Ross, county Wexford, on May 22nd; and if he will take the same precautionary measures with regard to this outbreak as he has done in the numerous recent cases in England, namely, by drawing a cordon around the affected area alone, and thereby permit the cattle trade from the rest of Ireland to resume its normal course?
The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir A. Boscawen)I am informed by the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction for Ireland that on 28th May another outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease was confirmed at New Ross, county Wexford. The question of the conditions under which the cattle trade from Ireland may be resumed is under consideration.
§ Captain REDMONDIs it not a fact that a short while ago the right hon. Gentleman led me to understand, by way of question and answer, that if a case of foot-and-mouth disease occurred in Ireland, the same treatment would be meted out in regard to that case as he has done with regard to numerous cases that have occurred in England recently; and, if he will not mete out the same treatment, will he please tell me why?
Sir A. BOSCAWENYes, I am quite prepared to adopt that policy, in the interest of British farmers as well as Irish farmers, as soon as I am satisfied of the whereabouts of outbreaks in Ireland. But the matter must be absolutely cleared up. I am not certain there may not be other sources of infection in Ireland at the present time. However, the whole matter is under consideration at the present moment.
§ Captain REDMONDHas the right hon. Gentleman's attention been called to a statement, which recently appeared in the Press, that the English Ministry of Agriculture had concluded that there had been several unreported cases of foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland for many weeks; what grounds had the English Department of Agriculture for forming that conclusion; did they take any steps whatsoever to consult those upon the spot in Ireland with regard to these alleged cases; and, whether the Irish Department itself even was consulted in the matter before the statement was made?
Sir A. BOSCAWENYes, Sir; we have been in consultation with the Irish Department right through, and we hold that our statement was perfectly correct. The Irish Department denied there was any foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland. Subsequently two cases were located at the very spot from which the cattle came, as shown in outbreaks in England after arrival. Under those circumstances, until I have got more definite information, I cannot permit the importation of stores from Ireland, but I hope to be able to clear up the matter with the Irish Department of Agriculture shortly, and I shall have the trade resumed as soon as possible.
§ Captain REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman state clearly what grounds he has for making this extraordinary and extravagant statement that 581 many cases of foot-and-mouth disease are in Ireland at present unreported, and will he take this opportunity of withdrawing that statement, which must do such harm to this great cattle industry?
§ Captain REDMONDIt is unwarranted!
Sir A. BOSCAWENQuite a number of outbreaks have occurred in England, and in cattle which have come from Ireland, and from a particular part of Ireland. The Irish authorities denied altogether that there was any foot-and-mouth disease in Ireland. Subsequently they admitted that there had been an outbreak in that particular place. Under these circumstances, I can neither withdraw the statement nor take any further steps until I am satisfied that there is no foot-and-mouth disease in other parts of Ireland.
§ Captain REDMONDWill the right hon. Gentleman say—
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. and gallant Member must put any further questions down.