§ MR. G. GREENWOOD (Peterborough)I beg to ask the Prime Minister if he is aware that on 2nd January last a deer, turned out to be hunted by the Berks and Bucks stag-hounds, in trying to clear a wall near 253 Bisham, after a long run, fell and broke its neck; that on 26th February last a deer turned out near Taplow by the same hunt, after a long run, took refuge in a cottage at Farnham Royal, and, having been captured by villagers with a rope, was strangled in its efforts to escape; that on 28th February last a deer turned out by the Surrey stag-hounds took refuge in a millpond at I field, where it was drowned; that on the same day a deer turned out by the Berks and Bucks hunt was captured, bleeding and in a state of exhaustion, by villagers, and was strangled in its efforts to escape; that on 8th March last a deer turned out by the same hunt, after a run of some fifteen miles, was driven into Waterloo Place Lake, near Wokingham, where it was set upon by the hounds and drowned; that at least six carted deer are known to have been killed by the Berks and Bucks hunt since 26th November last; and if, in view of the frequent occurrence of such incidents, and of the public feeling in the matter, and to prevent cruelty to animals, he will give facilities to enable the Spurious Sports Bill to be passed into law.
§ SIR H. CAMPBELL-BANNERMANI have already told my hon. friend my opinion of this kind of sport, and expressed my desire to find a means of putting a stop to it. But at this stage of the session it is, I am afraid, quite out of the question to offer facilities for the Spurious Sports Bill.