§ Sir R. COOPERasked the Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agricul- 1095W ture if he is aware that the new arrangement for testing animals destined for South Africa, at the Pirbright station, are highly unsatisfactory, owing to the delay and difficulty of subsequent shipping, and that Pirbright cannot take any more animals till the end of January next; will he, under these circumstances, invite the South African Government to consider the adoption of the principle followed in this country by the United States Government of appointing their own official veterinary surgeons for testing animals in any part of the country; and, failing this suggestion, will he consider the establishment of three other testing stations in Britain to facilitate this valuable trade?
Sir A. BOSCAWENDelays which may occur at Pirbright station are due in part to alterations in the dates of sailings of transports, and not to the testing arrangements made by the Board. The Board would be quite willing that the South African Government should adopt the principle followed by the United States Government and appoint their own veterinary surgeons for testing animals in any part of this country, and they have asked representatives of the Government of South Africa in this country to receive a deputation, but they feel bound to state that the basis of South Africa's desire for a testing station is that the animals for export to South Africa must not be tested on premises which belong to the owner. The Board are actively engaged in trying to find other suitable premises to enable them to deal with the volume of trade with South Africa, which has suddenly arisen, and there is good hope of such premises being found.