§ 98. Mr. PENNEFATHERasked the Home Secretary if any representations have reached him in regard to the underfeeding, overloading, and overworking of horses; and, if so, whether he will give instructions to the police to report all such cases which come under their notice with a view to prompt action being taken against the guilty parties?
§ The SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Sir G. Cave)At the request of the Controller of Horse Transport I asked the police in January last to take every opportunity to call the attention of horse owners to the need for the easier working of horses. Since that time my attention has again been drawn to the question, and having regard to the further reduction recently made by the Food Controller in the amount of cereal foodstuffs which may be given to horses, the Commissioner of Metropolitan Police has issued fresh instructions to his officers to be on the alert to deal with cases of overwork, and I propose to communicate in the same sense with the county and borough police.
§ Colonel BURNDoes not the hon. Gentleman think that much more work can be got out of the horses if the heavy traffic is confined to walking, as it is the pace that kills the horses?
§ Sir G. CAVEThat is one of the points to which the attention of the police is drawn.