PARLIAMENTARY INTELLIGENCE. 
657 
last year. The outbreaks of pleuro-pneumonia in Somersetshire had 
been two. The number of cattle affected was reported by the 
inspector to be four, and by the local authority three. The number 
of deaths was by both parties reported to be two ; but he had 
reason to believe that pleuro-pneumonia was not increasing in Somer- 
setshire. 
In answer to the question of the hon. member (Mr. Neville- 
Grenville), he had to say there were no special reports from other 
districts with regard to pleuro-pneumonia and foot and mouth 
disease. The Privy Council had reason to believe that pleuro-pneu- 
monia was not to any great extent prevalent, and that the foot and 
mouth disease had decreased of late. 
THE FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE. 
SirH. Selwin-Ibbetson asked the Vice-President of the Council 
whether it was true that a cargo of sheep suffering badly from foot 
and. mouth disease had been stopped at Thames Haven or elsewhere ; 
what country they came from, and if any steps had been taken in 
consequence by the Privy Council. 
Mr. W. E. Forster said that on Monday afternoon last he 
received a telegram stating that some sheep had been stopped by the 
officers of Customs on suspicion that they had the foot and mouth 
disease, the vessel having arrived from Tonning. Although the 
department had the fullest confidence in the Customs officials, it was 
thought better to send down one of the Privy Council inspectors to 
make a special report. Professor Simonds was consequently sent 
down, and his report entirely dispelled the idea that the animals had 
the foot and mouth disease. Several of the animals were lame, but 
their lameness was simply owing to an inflamed state of the foot 
induced by their having been driven long distances before being put 
on board the vessel. 
He might add, in justification of the detention by the Customs, 
that although the sheep had not the foot and mouth disease, there 
was good reason for suspecting its existence, and while incon- 
venience might have resulted to the owners, it was better in such a 
matter to err on the safe side. 
CATTLE DISEASES (IRELAND) BILL. 
On the order for the third reading of this Bill, 
The Earl of Aiulie said he did not want to obstruct the progress 
of the Bill, but he thought some of its provisions required amend- 
ment. Clause 2 required that cattle brought into Ireland should 
be provided with hay and water. No doubt those regulations were 
very good ; but there were no corresponding regulations in respect 
to cattle exported from Ireland, and, therefore, he proposed to intro- 
duce an amendment into the clause to supply that omission. Again, 
large powers were given by the Bill to the Lord Lieutenant to 
