§ Sir L. SCOTTasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he is aware of the complaints made that the continued restrictions in connection with foot-and-mouth disease upon the importation of pigs' feet, heads, etc., from abroad have so increased the cost to the foreign exporters of sending the goods to this country as to cause many shippers to abandon the traffic; that the reduction of supplies is causing hardship to many poor people to whom these commodities are a staple article of food; and that the restrictions are having the effect of crippling the packing trade in these goods for export to West Africa; and what steps it is proposed to take in the matter?
Mr. GUINNESSI have received only one complaint against the conditions imposed in respect of pigs' feet, heads, etc., imported into this country from the Continent, and I am not aware that the restrictions have seriously affected the import trade in these products, nor that they are causing hardship to people who rely upon these products as an important article of food. I have no information as regards the last part of the question, but will cause inquiries to be made.