Mr. John D. TaylorTo ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer whether the existing customs clearance station near Armagh city has facilities to handle(a) the importation of live cattle from the Republic of Ireland and (b) the importation of live cattle from the United Kingdom into the Republic of Ireland.
§ Mr. LawsonThe existing customs clearance station near Armagh city does not have facilities to handle the regular importation and exportation of live cattle between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland. It does have a limited facility for the temporary holding of cattle which on occasion may have been detained for customs purposes. The facility is only very occasionally used as the Armagh customs station is not linked to a Department of Agriculture for Northern Ireland cattle pen. There are no proposals for such a link.