I beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture a question, of which I have given him private notice, namely: Whether he can state what arrangements are to be made in respect of the importation of Irish live stock?

The Irish Department having temporarily prohibited the movement of animals out of that portion of Ireland which lies south and east of a line drawn from Drogheda to Banacher, thence along the Shannon to Killaloe, thence to Carrick-on-suir, and Kilmacthomas, and thence to Ballyvoyle Head on the Water-ford coast, the Board made an Order yesterday, which comes into operation at midnight to-night, allowing animals coming from outside that area to be landed at Glasgow, Birkenhead (Wood-side), and Manchester, for slaughter in the landing place within ninety-six hours. The animals may be put on board at any one of the following ports: Ballina, Belfast, Coleraine, Cork, Dundalk, Drogheda, Greenore, Larne, Limerick, Londonderry, Milford, Mulroy, Newry, Portrush, Sligo, Westport.

Do I understand that Dublin, Wexford, and Waterford are excluded from the list of ports that may send cattle?

Yes, Sir, for the present we are not receiving animals from those three ports?

When does the right hon. Gentleman expect to be able to free these ports?

If all goes well and nothing untoward arises during the next few days, we hope to be receiving animals from these ports at the end of next week.

What does a few days mean?

Are we to understand that no Irish store cattle are for the present to be admitted into any port of Great Britain?

No, Sir, for the present we are not receiving any Irish store cattle. We are receiving cattle for slaughter.