§ MR. MCKENNAI beg to ask the President of the Board of Agriculture, whether he can state approximately the total number of dogs which are exempted from time to time from muzzling under the exemption allowed to sporting dogs; and what kinds of sport are included in the official use of the term "sporting"?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREAs the hon. Member is aware, sporting dogs are only exempted from the requirements of the Muzzling Order now in force while they are being used for sporting purposes, and I have no means of forming any estimate of the number of dogs thus temporarily relieved from those requirements. It would rest with the Courts, if necessary, to determine in each particular case whether the exemption was or was not rightly claimed.
§ MR. T. BAYLEY (Derbyshire, Chesterfield)Are foxhounds on their way to and from a meet compelled to be muzzled?
§ THE PRESIDENT OF THE BOARD OF AGRICULTUREThat is a point which rests with the magistrates. So far as my opinion is worth anything, I should say "Certainly not."
§ MR. BAYLEYThe right hon. Gentleman said that sporting dogs only are exempted, but—
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order! The hon. Member must not argue.
MR. P. O'BRIENWill the right hon. Gentleman extend the Muzzling Order to the rats which eat the wheat while the dogs are muzzled?
§ MR. SPEAKEROrder, order!