44. Mr. SIMPSONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the report that 25,000 Canadian cattle are now en route to England; whether these cattle are being imported as stores or as fat; and whether, in the latter event, they will be liable to slaughter at the port of entry?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe Ministry has no definite information to the effect that 25,000 Canadian cattle are en route to England. An approximate estimate of the number of cattle which may possibly come forward this spring has been put at from 10,000 to 25,000. The majority of these will probably be imported as "stores" under the provisions of the Importation of Animals Act, 1922. Cattle from Canada other than such stores will after 1st April be liable under existing Regulations to slaughter at the port of landing.
§ Sir R. SANDERSProvided that cattle comply with the conditions laid down for stores in the Importation of Animals Act, they need not be slaughtered at the port. Our veterinary officer will inspect all animals on arrival and decide whether or not they can be treated as stores.
Mr. SIMPSONIs it not a fact that, under the Act, if an animal is intended for feeding purposes, it comes in as a store, and how will the veterinary officer decide whether it is coming in for feeding purposes or not?
§ Mr. PRETYMANIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the information has been broadcast that the first cargo of cattle which are coming are fat cattle consigned to a butcher, and will he say whether these animals will be slaughtered at the port of arrival, or whether they will be consigned to any market in the United Kingdom?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI have just stated that it. is for the veterinary officer to decide at the port. I have not heard of the cargo of fat cattle mentioned by the right hon. Gentleman.
§ Colonel M. ALEXANDERAs both the question and the answer appear to refer to Canadian cattle en route to England, can the right hon. Gentleman give us the figures of cattle which are en route to Scotland?
68. Mr. SIMPSONfurther asked the Minister of Agriculture whether any pledge or promise has been made to the Canadian Government on the subject of the importation from Canada into Great Britain of breeding cattle, as distinct from store cattle; and, if so, whether he will acquaint this House with the terms of that pledge or promise and inform the House when it was made?
§ Sir R. SANDERSAt the Conference with the Canadian representatives in October last, my predecessor promised to make provision in the proposed Importation of Animals Bill for the entry of breeding cattle from Canada into Great Britain. An agreed statement of the results of the Conference was issued in the Press on the 4th November, 1922, and included an announcement to the effect that the landing of Canadian cattle 28 capable of breeding would require the authority of a general Order which would be made by the Minister of Agriculture and laid in draft before both Houses of Parliament. I would remind the hon. Member that this House assented to the undertaking referred to when it passed Section (2) of the Importation of Animals Act, in December last.
§ Dr. CHAPPLEIs it proposed to include Australia and New Zealand in this privilege?
§ Sir R. SANDERSNot under that Act.
§ Lord H. CAVENDISH-BENTINCKWhat will be the attitude of the Government towards a project for dealing a final blow to agriculture?
§ 77. Mr. PRETYMANasked the Minister of Agriculture under what authority he proposes to issue Orders admitting breeding stock from Canada to this country; and will he defer laying any such Orders in either House of Parliament until after the expected agricultural Debate in this House?
§ Sir R. SANDERSIn accordance with Section 2 of the Importation of Animals Act, 1922, I am proposing to lay a draft Order before both Houses of Parliament. Provided the expected agricultural Debate takes place on or about 11th April, the date at present suggested, I am willing to defer laying the Order until after that Debate.