§ 19. Mr. GEORGE GREENWOODasked the Home Secretary if there is any special reason for the delay in the publication of the Return of experiments on living animals for last year; and whether, in view of the fact that no proceedings can be taken against a licensee under the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, except within six months from the time when the matter of complaint arose, he will see that such Return shall in future be published at an earlier date?
§ Mr. McKENNAThere were one or two points connected with this Return which had to be considered in connection with the Report of the Royal Commission, but this has not delayed the publication very much. I explained to my hon. Friend in reply to a question on 8th July, 1912, why the ordinary date for the issue of this Return cannot be accelerated owing to the labour involved; but it is now being printed, and will be in the hands of Members shortly.
§ Mr. G. GREENWOODAre not these Returns now being issued much later in the year than used to be the case?
§ Mr. McKENNAI cannot say as to a long time past, but they are not later than they have been in recent years.