§ 13. Mr. ROYLEasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he is aware of the conditions under which cattle are shipped from the ports of Ireland to this country; and will he make representations to the governments of Ireland with a view to improving the conditions?
§ The PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY to the MINISTRY of AGRICULTURE (Mr. W. R. Smith)I have been asked to reply. The transit of animals from Ireland to this country is controlled by Orders issued by the Irish Governments and by my Department. All three Governments maintain inspectors to see that animals are humanely carried and the small number of casualties, for cattle only 1.4 per 1,000, indicates that their efforts are successful. The British and Irish Governments are constantly in communication in order to improve the conditions of the trade, but unfortunately the carriage of animals by sea is exceedingly difficult and when heavy weather is experienced casualties occur even on the largest ships.