§ 45. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether the British Government have, under the new system of government in Southern Ireland, any right of inspection of cattle in Southern Ireland, with a view to ascertaining the existence of cattle disease in that country; and whether, in order to protect the herds of this country from the danger and immense losses consequent on outbreaks of disease, he will, as a condition of permitting the importation of live cattle into this country, demand from the Government of Southern Ireland adequate rights of inspection of cattle in Southern Ireland?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the COLONIES (Mr. Churchill)I apologise for my absence earlier. The uncertainties of traffic must be my excuse.
The answer to both parts of the question is in the negative. The inspection of cattle in Ireland is carried 239 out with efficiency and success by qualified inspectors of the Department of Agriculture and Technical Instruction, and I see no reason for assuming that under the new Governmental system which is being set up, there will be any relaxation of the precautions hitherto taken against all kinds of infectious disease. It is obviously in Ireland's own interests to maintain those precautions. The Board of Agriculture will of course retain the power it now possesses of prohibiting or restricting the importation into this country of cattle from Ireland as from any other of the Dominions.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERIs it not the case that as soon as the Provisional Government is legalised, inspectors from this country will have no jurisdiction in Southern Ireland?
§ Captain REDMONDIs it not a fact that they have no jurisdiction now?
§ Mr. DEVLINAnd is it not a fact that there is no infection of cattle in Ireland and that any diseases in Ireland are brought over from this country?