HC Deb 14 May 1918 vol 106 cc303-4

The owner of a stallion in respect of which a licence is in force under this Act shall—

  1. (a) give notice forthwith to the Board in the prescribed manner of any sale or letting or other change in the ownership of the stallion or of its death; and
  2. (b) submit the stallion to inspection and examination by any person authorised in that behalf by the Board if and when required by the Board; and
  3. (c) return the licence to the Board forthwith on its expiration, revocation or suspension;
and if he fails to comply with any of the requirements of this section he shall be liable on summary conviction to a fine not exceeding five pounds.

Amendments made: In paragraph (a), after the word "its," insert the words "castration or."

In paragraph (c), after the word "licence," insert the words "and the certified copy (if any)."

Leave out-the word "its," and insert instead thereof the word "the."

After the word "suspension," insert the words "of the licence."—[Mr. Prothero.]

Motion made, and Question proposed, "That the Clause, as amended, stand part of the Bill."

Mr. WATT

May we have an explanation from the President of the Board of Agriculture as to the effect of the Amendments just made? We have had no explanation yet made, and I, for one, should like to realise what the changes made amount to.

Mr. PROTHERO

If I may go back to Clause 4, and read the form of words which is now proposed to stand, it will make the whole case clear to the hon. and learned Member. Clause 4, Sub-section (1), will read: If the Board refuse to grant a licence under this Act in respect of any stallion or revoke or suspend any such licence the owner of the stallion shall be entitled on application within the prescribed time, in the prescribed manner, and on payment of the prescribed fee (not exceeding five guineas) to have the stallion inspected and examined by such member or members of the panel of referees constituted under this Section as may be selected by the Board, who shall report to the Board the result of the inspection and examination, and the Board after consideration thereof shall confirm or vary the decision to which the application refers, and such confirmation or variation shall be final. That is the governing Clause from which all those other Amendments made in Clause 5 flow consequentially. The point is this, that under the Bill as originally framed there was an appeal by the owner of a stallion to whom a licence was refused. The appeal came before a referee, who refused or suspended the licence, and his decision was final. It was represented to the Board by the breeding societies that it would be more satisfactory to the breeding societies if the decision rested with the Board itself. Therefore these alterations were made so that the veterinary surgeon, instead of having in his own hands the decision whether the licence should be granted or not, is to report to the Board, and the Board, on consideration of this report, or of the report of more than one referee, makes the decision. The Board's decision is final. In consequence, instead of being an appeal, it is an application, and all the words in Clause 5 have had to be altered in order to fit the new system of having an application to the Board and that application resting with the Board for final decision. If there is any further point which is still obscure, I shall be glad to give an explanation.

Question put, and agreed to.