§ Mr. CHARLES BATHURSTasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department, whether he was aware of the cruelty inflicted upon pit ponies in consequence of the high pressure at which work was now carried on in many of the coal mines in England and Wales, and especially that such ponies were often worked in double shifts with insufficient food and water; and, if so, what steps were being taken by his Department to safeguard these animals against such treatment?
§ Mr. CHURCHILLAt my request the Royal Commission on Mines have been inquiring into certain allegations that have been made of ill-treatment of pit ponies, and in their third Report, which has just been presented to Parliament and will shortly be in the hands of Members, they make a series of recommendations to ensure that pit ponies are properly treated. Legislation will be necessary to enable me to give effect to these recommendations, and I am proposing to take the necessary powers in the amending Bill now in course of preparation.