HC Deb 27 March 1906 vol 154 cc1055-6
MR. KEIR HARDIE (Merthyr Tydvil)

I beg to ask the Secretary to the Admiralty whether he is aware that beagling is provided for the cadets of H.M.S. "Britannia" out of public funds; and whether he will make it a condition of continuing the grant out of which this form of sport is maintained that beagling be discontinued and a drag hunt subsituted.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

The question of the maintenance of the pack was considered last year, and the matter was loft to the discretion of the college authorities. But it was decided that the cost of the pack, if retained, should be a charge upon the sports fund, and that the expense should be strictly limited and should not be made a reason for increasing the subscription of the parents, out of which the sports fund is maintained, beyond the sum already allowed. Until, however, the college attains its full strength in May, 1907, it was decided that the cost of the kennel-man should be charged to Navy Votes.

MR. KEIR HARDIE

said the right hon. Gentleman had missed the point of the Question. What he wished to know was whether, having regard to the cruelty involved in this form of sport, which was obnoxious to large numbers of people, the grant would be withheld until a drag hunt was substituted.

MR. EDMUND ROBERTSON

suggested that if the hon. Member wished to raise this point he should put a separate Question on the Paper.

MR. KEIR HARDIE

said the Question which he drew up covered the point, but it had been sub-edited out of all recognition.