§ 106. Mr. THOMAS DAVIESasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in connection with the agreement reached with Canadian representatives in regard to the admission into this country of Canadian cattle, any record exists in his Department of the pledge given to English farmers by his predecessor that commercial breeding stock from Canada would not be admitted into this country?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe answer is in the negative. I am not aware that any such pledge was given, but I may add that when my predecessor consulted representatives of the National Farmers' Union and of the Live Stock Defence Committee during the progress of the Conference with the Canadian representatives in October last, it was agreed that he must be allowed to make the best arrangement possible, consistent with adequate protection for British herds.
§ Mr. LAMBIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that the agreement related to breeding cattle only, and not to cattle for commercial purposes?
§ Sir R. SANDERSExactly the opposite.
§ Major WHELERWas it not understood in this House that any proposals with regard to breeding cattle were to apply only to special qualities of breeding cattle and not to breeding cattle as a whole?
§ Sir R. SANDERSI am afraid that I cannot say what was understood in this House.
§ 107. Lieut. - Colonel FREMANTLEasked the Minister of Agriculture if his attention has been called to the Report of the medical officer of health to the Manchester port sanitary authority to the effect that the first batch of Canadian cattle were not altogether free from pulmonary tuberculosis; and what steps are being taken to test imported cattle for tubercle infection and to exclude the importation or distribution of cattle so infected?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe reply to the first part is in the affirmative. Canadian store cattle imported into this country are not required to undergo a test as to freedom from tuberculosis. Cattle affected with tuberculosis to a dangerous degree would be liable to be dealt with under the Milk and Dairies (Amendment) Act, 1922.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEWill that enable us to stop the spread of tuberculosis among cattle?
§ Sir W. DAVISONWill the right hon. Gentleman say how cattle suffering from tuberculosis came to be described by his inspectors as "very healthy," as he stated in the House yesterday or the day before?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThe fact was that the general report on the cattle was that they were very healthy.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLECan I have a reply to my supplementary question?
§ Sir R. SANDERSThat is a matter on which medical gentlemen will be more qualified to give an opinion than I am.
§ Lieut.-Colonel FREMANTLEMay I take it that the right hon. Gentleman is not qualified to give an opinion on such a vital matter in his own Department?