§ Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether the meeting of officials of the British and the Dutch and Belgian Governments, arranged to take place at the end of last month, with a 448W view to the slaughtering in this country of old horses required for food in Holland and Belgium has taken place; and whether such meeting has resulted in an agreement being reached on the subject?
Sir A. BOSCAWENYes, Sir; the meeting in question has taken place, and the proposals put forward on behalf of the Ministry to secure the slaughter in this country of old horses required for food on the Continent received most sympathetic consideration from the officials representing the French, Belgian, and Dutch Governments. The Ministry is issuing invitations for a further conference in London about the end of the present month, when it is hoped that a definite plan will be formulated.