§ Mr. P. WHITEasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture why the cargo of live stock on board the " Colleen Bawn," which sailed from Drogheda on the 15th instant, was held up at Birkenhead, and who was responsible; and whether he will also state if one lamb affected with scab was unloaded from the " Mellifont," if it was examined in camera, and interested persons refused permission to see the examination or the lamb subsequently?
1894W
§ Mr. ACLANDOnly the sheep in the cargoes of the "Colleen Bawn" and the " Mellifont" were detained at Birkenhead on the 16th instant, the reason being that one lamb on the "Colleen Bawn" was found to be affected with sheep scab, and as the sheep on both vessels were parts of the same consignments from Drogheda, and had largely come to Drogheda from the same owners, all had to be dipped before being allowed to proceed. The affected lamb was isolated, but the owner had free access to it during the hour that the whole of the cargo is open to inspection under the Regulations, and also after the period of detention had expired. No persons other than certain officials are permitted to be present during the veterinary examination on account, among other reasons, of the grave risk of spreading infection in the event of a highly infectious disease being discovered.