§ 42. Sir G. FOXasked the Minister of Agriculture the price of cattle in the Irish Free State and in Northern Ireland respectively, and the difference in price which is obtained by smuggling the cattle over the frontier and disposing of them in Northern Ireland for ultimate re-sale to this country?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI am advised that on 16th April the following prices for cattle ruled at the fairs near the border at Naas in the Irish Free State and Camlough in Northern Ireland respectively :
| Calves under 9 months | 30s. | 105s. |
| Yearlings | 50s. | 140s. |
| Six quarter olds | 95s. | 170s. |
| Large stores | 110s. | 230s. |
| Fat cattle over 18 months | 150s. | 270s. |
§ Sir G. FOXWill my right hon. Friend consider the advisability of taking steps to stop the great amount of smuggling that is going on at the present time?
§ Mr. ORMSBY-GOREI understand that an answer was given in the House by the Financial Secretary to the Treasury informing the House of the recent augmentation of the Customs staff.
Brigadier-General BROWNIf my right hon. Friend has no information that this smuggling is going on, will he inquire of anybody who lives on the borders, and will not the Government 473 take some steps to stop this scandal, to which I called attention some six months ago?
Mr. ORMSBY-GOBEI have no doubt that the Customs Department and the Government of Northern Ireland are doing all that they can. All I can say is that, as First Commissioner of Works, I have no personal knowledge of this matter.