§ 2.38 p.m.
§ LORD DENHAMMy Lords, I beg to ask the question standing in my name on the Order Paper.
§ [The question was as follows:
§ To ask His Majesty's Government whether their attention has been called to the circumstances under which, out of thirteen greyhounds despatched from Holyhead at 7.50 a.m. on July 29 last, six were dead when the train arrived at Crewe at 2.28 p.m. Are they aware 135 that these greyhounds were despatched by parcels train, and that the normal time for a passenger train for this journey is 2½, to 3 hours? What explanation can they give of this treatment of these greyhounds, what caused their death, will proper compensation be paid to the owners and will adequate steps be taken to avoid any possible recurrence of such cruelty to animals in the future?]
§ LORD WALKDENMy Lords, this is a matter for the British Transport Commission and I am informed by my right honourable friend the Minister of Transport that he has brought the noble Lord's question to their attention.
§ LORD DENHAMMay I ask the noble Lord this question? When great cruelty such as this has been experienced on the railways, is there no Minister who will answer in Parliament and to whom one can put questions?
§ LORD WALKDENMy Lords, it has been decided that minor matters of detail in the working of the railways cannot be dealt with in Parliament by way of question and answer. I therefore regret that I cannot discuss this matter any further.
§ LORD DENHAMMay I ask the noble Lord whether he appreciates that these were no minor matters of detail? The local veterinary surgeon gave a certificate to the effect that these dogs suffered first of all from heatstroke and finally died of suffocation. The questions which I am asking, and which are not questions of detail are: How were the bodies of the dogs disposed of? Actually, they were burned. Why were they burned before the owners had any chance of identifying them? Were the dogs visited on this long journey—which was made much too long because they were sent by parcels train instead of passenger train—and their water and ventilation seen to? Finally, will compensation be paid to the owners? I appreciate that the noble Lord cannot answer these questions to-day, but may I ask him to see that they will be answered and the answers sent to me as soon as possible?
§ LORD WALKDENMy Lords, the points which the noble Lord has raised will be considered, and I have no doubt that he will receive information direct from the Transport Commission.