§ 64. Sir W. DAVISONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been called to the fact that 38 wild unbroken British ponies, many of them mares in foal, were shipped from Goole to Ghent on or about the 6th or 7th of May for sale at the annual butchers' fair at Mont St. Amand, Ghent; whether he is aware that a number of such ponies foaled immediately on arrival; and if he will inform the House what inspection was made of these ponies prior to embarkation and how it was that wild ponies in the condition referred to were certified as fit for export abroad?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am aware that 38 ponies were shipped from Goole to Ghent on the 6th May, and that some of these were in-foal mares but none showed any signs indicating the probability of parturition during the journey to Ghent. These ponies could not be described as "wild", since all had been halter broken and could be handled with ease. If foaling during the journey had been anticipated, the veterinary inspector would not have permitted shipment. I have no definite information as to the foaling of certain of these ponies on arrival at Ghent. I do not propose to prohibit the exportation of in-foal mares.
§ Sir W. DAVISONIs the right hon. Gentleman satisfied as to the thoroughness of the inspection of the ponies alleged to be exported for butchering, and will he consider whether it might be possible to tighten up the inspection at our ports?
§ Dr. ADDISONI am giving this matter the most sympathetic consideration, and I am doing all that I can to make the inspection as proper as it ought to be.