§ 34. Mr. E. Johnsonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether, in view of the fact that the export of horses for slaughter from the Republic of Ireland to France has been resumed, and that 154 horses were shipped for this purpose on 2nd June and 155 on 16th June, he will now make regulations prohibiting the export of all horses from the United Kingdom to the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. NugentNo, Sir. As my right hon. Friend said in reply to my hon. and gallant Friend the Member for Arundel and Shoreham (Captain Kerby) on 8th June, he has no evidence that horses which go from this country to the Irish Republic are re-exported to the Continent for slaughter.
§ Mr. JohnsonIs my hon. Friend aware that since then this trade to France has been resumed? Has his attention been drawn to a report that a horse was recently sold for slaughter in Paris for £151? In view of this very high figure for a horse for slaughter, will my hon. Friend not take steps to ensure that none of ours can possibly find its way to that market through the Republic of Ireland?
§ Mr. NugentIf my hon. Friend can give me any information which traces a horse sold from here to Ireland at over the £100 limit going in that way, we shall be prepared to look at the present Regulations again.