HC Deb 14 July 1835 vol 29 cc537-8
Mr. Pease

moved that this Bill be re-committed. He trusted that the Bill would be suffered to pass, as it was eminently calculated to prevent the dreadful cruelties which were daily practised towards animals. He would be the last man in the world to support the measure, if it tended to abridge the amusements of the poorer classes; but he was persuaded that it would have no such effect.

Colonel Sibthorpe

did not rise to oppose the Bill, but merely for the purpose of throwing out a few suggestions for the consideration of the hon. Member for Durham. He would be the last man in the world to throw ridicule upon any measure having humanity for its object; but the hon. Member, though he enumerated bull, and bear, and badger-baiting, and fox-hunting, had entirely forgotten the atrocious and abominable practice of skinning cats alive which had lately been carried on to a great extent. He hoped the hon. Member would include this offence in his Bill.

Sir Matthew White Ridley

considered that the Bill gave too much and too arbitrary power to the inspectors to be appointed under it: and also to the mischievous class of informers who had already too much in their power. It appeared to him that the Acts already in existence—3 and 4 George 3rd., were amply sufficient for all the purposes contemplated by the Bill now brought forward. It appeared to him, too, that the Bill, while it left coursing, shooting, fishing, &c, the amusements of the higher classes, untouched, infringed too much on those of the humbler classes. He hoped the hon. Member would not press the Bill this Session, if he did it would be his duty to take the sense of the House on the propriety of postponing it.

Mr. Alderman Wood

thought the expense of the inspectors would be found much too high, particularly in the City.

Dr. Bowring

said, that though legislalation might not be found efficient in accomplishing everything that was to be wished, yet an effort ought to be made to do all that was possible.

Mr. Wilks

said, the Bill was calculated to do very great service, consolidating, as it did, three or four different Acts on the subject.

Mr. Brotherton

hailed the measure as a further step in civilization.

The House divided: Ayes 30; Noes 16; Majority 14.

List of the Noes.
Blackburne, J. Sharpe, General
Bramston, T. W. Sheldon, E. R.
Buller, Sir J. Y. Tancred, H. W.
Evans, G. Turner, W.
Elphinstone, H. Warburton, H.
Grimston, E. H. Wrottesley, Sir J.
Hoy, B. Tellers.
O'Conor, Don Ridley, Sir M. W.
Roebuck, J. A. Sibthorp, Colonel

The House went into Committee, several Clauses were agreed to, and the House resumed.

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