§ Mr. Osborneasked the Minister of War Transport if he is aware that some Lincoln red shorthorns were sold to South Africa in April 1945, and the sellers are still unable to get shipping facilities despite repeated applications to various Ministries; and if he will take immediate 332W steps to arrange for these animals to be shipped without further delay.
§ Mr. BarnesThe difficulty has been to fit in the quarantine periods with the sailing of vessels suitably fitted for the carriage of livestock. The only quarantine stations at present available are in the Mersey and Clyde areas, whereas the majority of the ships for South Africa sail from Middlesbrough or London, where most of the cargo is available. I understand that the question of re-opening a suitable quarantine station in London is now under consideration and efforts are being made to ship some animals which have been waiting some time in a vessel expected to sail from Liverpool to South Africa in March.