Colonel Clarkeasked the Minister of Agriculture for what purpose he sanctioned the importation of the horses which arrived at Birkenhead in s.s. "Clarina" on Wednesday, 7th February, consigned respectively to Manchester and Liverpool; whether he is aware that a substantial number of these horses died en route as a result of exhaustion or injury and that others had to be slaughtered on arrival for similar reasons; and whether in these circumstances he will consider amending the present regulations relating to the use of horseflesh obtained from imported aged horses.
160W
Mr. T. WilliamsI have received a report on this distressing incident, from which it would appear that the large number of casualties was due to the exceptionally heavy weather encountered on the voyage. The importation of these horses did not require my sanction, and I do not think that it would be practicable to prevent such incidents by making regulations relating to the use of horse flesh from imported horses. Now that a trade in this class of horses has developed, however, I am considering whether to make an order under the Diseases of Animals Act for the better protection of horses during transit to this country.