HL Deb 16 February 1866 vol 181 cc595-6
THE EARL OF AIRLIE,

who had given notice of his intention to ask the Government Whether, in the event of the Cattle Diseases Bill coming up to the Lords before the 17th instant, they intended to proceed with it on that day, said, that when he gave that notice he thought it possible that the Bill might reach their Lordships' House earlier than it was now likely to do; but he would take the present opportunity of stating that several noble Lords on both sides of the House were of opinion that the Bill should be passed as quickly as possible.

LORD DENMAN

said, that as their Lordships were to have an imperfect Bill, which could not be altered in their House, he wished, as he had attended important meetings both yesterday and to-day, at which complaint was made of ignorant persons insisting upon visiting diseased cattle in spite of all remonstrances, that some clause might be added to the Bill, to render persons liable to punishment who entered infected farms. He had himself warned off three packs of hounds which were kept separate and at large on different farms, and he had told those who were with them that they would be chargeable with malicious trespass if they persisted in hunting after notice, but he was very anxious that a stop might be put to all unnecessary danger of infection.

LORD DUNSANY

asked whether the Government had received information that any cattle had been smuggled into Ireland from Scotland; and, if so, what precautions had been taken to prevent it; also, if it was the case that an Order in Council had lately been issued permitting the importation of the skin of sheep or lambs under certain conditions into Ireland. If such were the case it was desirable that the fact should be generally known, in order that the people of Ireland might be put on their guard against the purchase of cattle under such circumstances.

EARL GRANVILLE

was understood to say that 126 sheep had been imported from Scotland into Ireland in the month of October last; that the importation was contrary to law, and that the parties perpetrating the offence would be prosecuted. It had not come to the knowledge of the Government that the attempt had been repeated. It was true that an Order in Council of the character of that to which the noble Earl referred had been issued.

House adjourned at a quarter before Seven o'clock, till to-morrow Four o'clock.