HL Deb 15 January 1981 vol 416 cc176-7
The Minister of State, Scottish Office (The Earl of Mansfield)

My Lords, I beg to move that this Bill be now considered on Report.

Moved, That the Bill be now considered on Report.—(The Earl of Mansfield.)

Lord Hughes

My Lords, I was asked to come along here temporarily in case the noble Earl made a speech on these Bills. I therefore took the precaution of reading them and, having seen that the matter has to do with stray dogs, all I want to say is that, having come along here, I feel somewhat in the nature of a stray dog myself! I hope I shall not be detained for 10 days and destroyed at the end of that time if not claimed, because that is what will happen to the dogs under these three orders.

The Earl of Mansfield

My Lords, I think it depends on whether the Labour Party puts a collar on the noble Lord, giving a name and address. If that is done and if the proper charges are paid, the noble Lord will not be so destroyed.

Lord Hughes

My Lords, it is nice to know that there is a possible solution to some of our difficulties!

On Question, Motion agreed to.