§ Mr. HORNERasked the President of the Board of Agriculture whether he is aware that in the Estimates for the year ending March next the estimate of the amount required for travelling expenses by the Board of Agriculture in England is £28,500, by the Board of Agriculture in Scotland £2,500, and by the Board of Agriculture in Ireland is £10,600; and can he state whether, out of this total sum of £42,000, the expenses of two or three representatives of the English Board of Agriculture can be paid to visit Ireland and report upon the outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease before any Order of a more or less permanent character affecting the Irish cattle trade is issued by his Department?
§ Mr. RUNCIMANI believe that the figures given by the hon. Member are approximately correct, but in any case there would be no difficulty in defraying the expenses of a visit such as he suggests if it were likely to serve any useful purpose. 2407W I do not think, however, that this would be the case. I am in continuous communication with the Irish Department, and the Orders of the Board are issued after full consideration of the official information which they are at all times ready to supply.