§ [SECOND READING.]
§ Order of the Day for the Second Reading read.
§ LORD CLINTONMy Lords, this Bill to which I now ask your Lordships to give a Second Reading has come from the House of Commons. The object of the Bill is to apply to Scotland the Act of 1800 for the 714 prevention of cruelty to wild animals in captivity. The important part of that Act is Section 2, which provides that any person guilty of cruelty to any wild animal in captivity or causing any unnecessary suffering to such animal is liable to a penalty not exceeding three months imprisonment or to a fine not exceeding £5. There is reason for applying the Bill to Scotland, because at present there is no existing Act for the protection of wild animals in captivity, and there has been from time to time cases of cruelty which the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals has been unable to take up through the absence of any Act. Section 5 of the Act of 1800, which I wish to repeal, merely states that this Act shall not apply to Scotland, but in conversation with the Secretary for Scotland, Lord Pentland, I understand that it is probable that additional words will have to be added to make it apply to Scotland. A mere repeal would appear not to be sufficient, without further words, to make it apply. In the meantime, I would ask your Lordships to recognise the importance of applying this Act to Scotland and to give this Bill a Second Reading.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 2a.—(Lord Clinton.)
§ THE SECRETARY FOR SCOTLAND (LORD PENTLAND)My Lords, His Majesty's Government are entirely friendly to this Bill. There are, however, two other English Acts referred to in the Bill, and there are two corresponding Acts which apply to Scotland, and the Amendment which I shall put down, as suggested by the noble Lord, will ensure that this Act shall be sure and definite in its application to Scotland.
§ On Question, Bill read 2a, and committed to a Committee of the Whole House on Monday next.