§ Mr. GRANTalso asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether, in August, 1914, he sanctioned the special importation of Holstein cattle; and whether the animals arrived at Tilbury Docks and were released on 31st 1298W October to the British Holstein Cattle Society?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe facts stated are correct, sanction being given by the then President of the Board.
§ Mr. GRANTnext asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he sanctioned the importation of cattle belonging to His Highness the Rajah of Sarawak; if so, why these cattle were not slaughtered; and why the animals were interned in the Zoological Gardens on condition that they were transferred as a gift to the Royal Zoological Society?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe answer to the first part of the question is in the affirmative. The reason the cattle were not slaughtered on or before landing was that the agents of His Highness were able to arrange for their acceptance as a permanent addition to the Zoological Society's collection. There was no requirement by the Board that they should be presented to the society.
§ Mr. GRANTfurther asked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture whether he makes exceptions in the case of favoured importers of live ruminants; and, if so, why the cattle belonging to His Highness the Rajah of Sarawak were neither slaughtered nor delivered to the managers of his estate in Gloucestershire, in accordance with the precedent established in 1914 by the case of the Holstein cattle?
§ Mr. ACLANDThe answer to the first part of the question is in the negative. The special importation of Holstein cattle was permitted for the purpose of improving the breed of Holstein in this country, and did not establish a precedent for allowing Indian cattle to be placed on the private premises of their owner.