§ 69 and 70. Captain DIXONasked the Minister of Agriculture (1) if he is aware that during the last serious foot-and-mouth outbreak in 1923 a considerable number of cattle belonging to Irish 2407 traders awaiting clearance at British ports were slaughtered without compensation to the owners, who in consequence were placed in serious financial straits; whether representations have been made to him with a view to compensating such traders; and what steps have been taken in the matter;
(2) whether, in view of this country's dependence on Ireland for its live stock supplies and the danger of traders withholding such on any future outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease in this country in the absence of compensation, he will take steps to make provision for compensation to owners whose stock is slaughtered at British landing places or other places of detention?
Mr. WOODI am aware that a number of Irish cattle were slaughtered in 1923 owing to foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks in landing places, and as provided in Section 5 of the Importation of Animals Act, 1922, no compensation was paid. I have received representations in the sense indicated, but this question was fully considered by Parliament when the Act of 1922 was passed, and any alteration of the existing practice, which is common in most importing countries, would require legislation, with regard to which I am afraid I can give no undertaking.