LORD WESTBURYasked Her Majesty's Government, Whether they can state how many prosecutions for cruelties connected with the shooting of birds from traps have been instituted under the Cruelty to Animals Prevention Act, 1849, during the last ten years?
THE EARL OF DALHOUSIE, in reply, said, he was sorry to say Her Majesty's 450 Government were unable to give the information required by his noble Friend. To obtain it, it would be necessary to address inquiries to every Petty Sessions magistrate all over the country, as no such record was sent to the Home Office.
§ THE EARL OF REDESDALE (CHAIRMAN of COMMITTEES)said, that he would like to ask what greater cruelty there was in shooting a bird from a trap than in shooting a pheasant from a covert; and why a man should become liable to a penalty of £5 for the former act? Being of opinion that there was no more cruelty in shooting birds let out of traps than under any other circumstances, he would give Notice that when Mr. Anderson's Bill came before their Lordships he would move its rejection.
§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, that it was irregular to discuss a Bill which was down for second reading at the end of the week.
LORD WESTBURYsaid, he deeply regretted the answer of the noble Earl. He had merely put the Question on the Paper with the view of putting their Lordships in possession of some information before the second reading of the Bill on the subject on Friday next, as he knew the cases of cruelty had been grossly exaggerated. He thought there might have been some means of obtaining the information he desired through the Home Office, the Police, or the Secretary to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
THE EARL OF DALHOUSIEsaid, he had endeavoured to obtain information on the subject, and was quite satisfied the Government could not get any; but he supposed it could be got from the Secretary to the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
LORD WESTBURYsaid, he was afraid to apply in that quarter, in case the Secretary should think the information might be used against him. He should have liked for some information from the police, and that was why he asked the Government.
§ EARL GRANVILLEsaid, he thought it was rather late to ask for the information when the second reading was fixed for the end of the week.