§ Mr. JOHN O'CONNORasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that about three weeks ago a number of cattle being brought from Cork to Deptford for slaughter there died on the voyage from the hardships and injuries on board ship during bad weather; is he aware that upwards of 500,000 head of cattle have come from Ireland since restrictions were established, and no case of foot-and-mouth disease was discovered amongst them; and will he allow animals that are inspected at Dublin at departure and at Holyhead on arrival to be railed to Deptford so as to avoid the loss and risk of long sea voyages?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI gather that the hon. Member refers to the case of the ss. "Ardmore" which sailed from Cork to Deptford on the 26th ultimo, and lost thirteen animals out of a cargo of 488 in consequence of the heavy weather experienced on the voyage. The occurrence was quite an exceptional one, as is evident from the fact that only two other animals have been lost out of the fourteen cargoes, comprising over 6,000 animals, shipped to Deptford since the wharf there was2126W opened for the reception of Irish animals. About 480,000 animals have been imported into Great Britain from Ireland for detention or slaughter at the authorised landing places. No case of foot-and-mouth disease has been discovered among them. The outbreaks at Mullingar are still so recent that I am not at present prepared to adopt the suggestion made in the last part of the question.
§ Mr. FIELDasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that a meeting of agriculturists and others held in Perth, on the 8th November, passed a resolution calling on the Board of Agriculture to permit the resumption of the cattle trade from Ireland, and stating that the procedure pursued by the Board of Agriculture in the case of England when foot-and-mouth disease existed there would be sufficient safeguard in the case of Ireland; whether he has read a report of those proceedings; and whether he intends to take any further action thereon?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANThe answer to the first two parts of the question is in the affirmative. I have arranged to receive a deputation, appointed by the meeting to which the hon. Member refers, on Tuesday next.