THE DUKE OF RICHMOND AND GORDONMy 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 1821 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.