§ 75. Lord APSLEYasked the Minister of Agriculture if he is aware that Dr. Edith Leonard, of 69, Bedford Place, Southampton, is desirous of bringing back from Madeira, whither she went with the intention of practising her profession, her pet she-goat, which she took with her, and that the authorities now refuse to permit her pet goat to come back at all, although it is a British goat, and the owner is very much attached to it; seeing that goats have been recently brought from Africa for the British Empire Exhibition, and that the British Goats Society were last year permitted to import a few goats into this country, what is the objection to Dr. Leonard's goat being brought back under proper quarantine regulations; and whether he will look sympathetically into the whole matter?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Buxton)I am aware of the matter to which the Noble Lord refers. While I sympathise with the natural desire of 32 Dr. Leonard to retain her pet, I regret that I cannot see my way to authorise the importation of any goats from Madeira, as the information available with regard to the regulation of livestock there is not sufficient to satisfy me that there is no risk of infection. For his further information I am sending the Noble Lord particulars of the only conditions on which importation of animals is allowed.
§ Lord APSLEYIs the right hon. Gentleman aware that whereas the Government Regulations so far have not succeeded in excluding foot-and-mouth disease from this country, in this particular case this unfortunate lady has had long association with her pet, that it has a clean bill of health, and why it is that always the unfortunate and blameless individual has to suffer under Government Regulations?
§ Mr. BECKERAs this lady will be separated from her pet, may I ask who has got her goat?