§ Mr. CAUTLEYasked the President of the Board of Trade whether he intends to take proceedings in the Law Courts against the responsible officer of the S.S. "Hartington" who, when foot-and-mouth disease broke out on his ship during the voyage from Monte Video to Antwerp, and discharge at the port of Antwerp was accordingly refused, jettisoned the cattle and sheep he had on board, together with all cattle-fittings, fodder, etc., washed over the decks, and removed all traces of the live stock, destroyed or concealed the bill of lading relating thereto, and then brought his ship into the port of London and made a false bill of entry in the Customs and by the above means misled the port and health authorities as to the character of his cargo, and thereby enabled the general cargo, some of which was contaminated with urine and dung, to be discharged and sent to different parts of the country with the risk of spreading disease?
§ Sir P. LLOYD-GREAMEI regret that the matter to which the hon. Member refers is not one in which the Board of Trade have any jurisdiction. I would, however, refer to the answer given on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture on 28th February to the hon. Member for the Stone Division of Staffordshire (Mr. Lamb).