§ MR. PEASEasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, What number of licences have been granted 1043 under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 39 and 40, Vic. c. 77; whether any licences have been given up or withdrawn; if so, how many; and, whether he has reason to suppose that the power thus granted has been in any case abused?
MR. ASSHETON CROSS,in reply, said, that 20 additional licences had been granted beyond those which appeared in the half-year's Return. Of these three had expired, and had not been renewed, and three had been cancelled. He had had many interviews with the most able and conscientious Inspector, who had taken an interest in this matter, and that gentleman assured him that there was not the slightest ground for believing there had been abuse in any single case.