Lords Sitting of 25 February 1884

MINUTES.
PUBLIC BILLS—Second Reading—Marriages Legalisation (Stopsley, Beds.) (18).
Committee—Law of Evidence Amendment * (9).
Report—Contagious Diseases (Animals) * (17).

CONTAGIOUS DISEASES (ANIMALS) ACT—IMPORTATION FROM THE UNITED STATES—FOOT-AND-MOUTH DISEASE.

  QUESTION.
  THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDON: My Lords, I wish to ask the Lord President of the Council (Lord Carlingford), Whether it be the fact that the steamship Ontario has arrived at Liverpool from the United States, and whether there was on board that ship a cargo of animals which were affected with foot-and-mouth disease; and, if so, how many animals were affected, and whether the noble Lord has, as I conclude he has, sent down an Inspector to Liverpool; and, if so, whether he will

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  lay upon the Table the Report which may be received from him as to the result of his inquiries, in order that the public may have full information of the disease which is supposed to come from the United States to this country?
  LORD CARLINGFORD (LORD PRESIDENT of the COUNCIL): My Lords, it is a fact that a vessel named the Ontario has arrived at Liverpool from Portland with an infected cargo. The number of cattle on board was 275, and of sheep 639, and of these 31 cattle and seven sheep were found to be suffering from foot-and-mouth disease. The cattle and sheep are Canadian. The Privy Council, on being informed of the fact, sent down an Inspector to insure every possible precaution being taken at Liverpool, and every possible precaution has been taken—so completely, indeed, that there need be no apprehension as to the spread of infection from those animals. I have heard just now by telegram that the cattle had been all slaughtered before this morning, and that the sheep will be slaughtered before this evening. The Inspector will remain there in case of disease showing itself in another vessel expected to arrive at Liverpool on Wednesday. There is good reason for believing that this infection that has returned to us from Portland originated in Liverpool. The Ontario some time ago carried out a cargo of Herefords that had been detained in Liverpool for some days before embarkation, and these showed signs of infection after landing at Portland. We have reason to apprehend that the places of embarkation and detention at Portland are infected, and we have, therefore, as a matter of precaution, issued an Order which will suspend the despatch of any further cattle ships from Portland for a short time. We shall soon be able to see whether that suspension should be continued or whether it can be safely removed.

BENGAL TENANCY BILL.

  QUESTION.
  LORD STANLEY OF ALDERLEYasked the Secretary of State for India, Whether it is true that in the official papers on the Bengal Tenancy Bill, published in Calcutta, the minute of the Chief Justice of Bengal is not included; also, whether it is true that the opinions
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  of the Judges of the High Court of Calcutta on the Bill have not been asked?
  THE EARL OF KIMBERLEY: My Lords, the Minute of the Chief Justice referred to by the noble Lord is doubtless the letter from Sir Richard Garth which appeared in the newspapers, and was transmitted home by the Government of India; but I am not aware whether it has been included in the official Papers published in India. The opinions of the other Judges of the High Court were asked for by the Government of India, but they have not yet been received at the India Office.

MARRIAGES LEGALIZATION (STOPSLEY, BEDS.) BILL.
(The Lord Bishop of Ely.)
MARRIAGES LEGALIZATION (STOPSLEY, BEDS.) BILL.

  (NO. 18.) SECOND READING.
  Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
  THE BISHOP OF ELY, in moving that the Bill be now read a second time, said, its object was to remove all doubts as to the validity of marriages solemnized at the church at Stopsley, Bedfordshire, which was consecrated in 1862, but by some inadvertence remained for some time unapproved by the Ecclesiastical Commissioners.
  Moved, "That the Bill be now read 2a."—(The Lord Bishop of Ely.)
  THE LORD CHANCELLORsaid, that though he did not intend to oppose the second reading, he must complain of the introduction of Bills applying only to particular localities. There had been sufficient experience of the state of things which this Bill sought to remedy, and the question would be much more conveniently dealt with in one general measure.
  Motion agreed to; Bill read 2a accordingly, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House To-morrow.
  House adjourned at half past Four o'clock, till To-morrow, a quarter past Ten o'clock.