§ Mr. Henderson Stewartasked the Secretary of State for Scotland whether he is aware of the serious situation likely to arise in the East of Scotland owing to the continued shortage of Irish store cattle, upon which arable farmers depend for the manuring of their land; and whether, in view of the increased acreage now under the plough, he will consider some relaxation, under proper safeguards, of the present prohibition on imports of Irish stores?
Mr. JohnstonI am aware that store cattle are in short supply owing to the prohibition of the import of Irish stores. The possibility of relaxing the present prohibition under proper safeguards is under consideration in consultation with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, but I am afraid I can hold out no hope that any such relaxation is possible at the moment. Freedom from disease must be taken into account against the inconvenience of fewer stores.