§ 50. Sir J. BUTCHERasked the Prime Minister whether it is the intention of the Government to take the administration of the Cruelty to Animals Act, 1876, out of the hands of the Home Secretary and to place it in the hands of the Minister of Health; and, if not, whether he will state why the conduct of the Dogs' Protection Bill was on the occasion of its Third Reading taken out of the hands of the Home Secretary and placed in the hands of the Ministry of Health?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWIt is not proposed to make any change in the administration of the Act. The discussion of the Bill raised the general question of its effect upon medical research, and it was arranged that the Minister of Health should speak on behalf of the Government.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERAm I right in supposing that the Under-Secretary was unwilling, under the circumstances, to move the rejection of the Bill on its Third Reading?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI never heard of it, and I have no reason to think so.
§ Sir J. BUTCHERWill my right hon. Friend inquire?
§ Mr. BONAR LAWI may—as a matter of curiosity?
§ Sir J. BUTCHERAnd tell me—as a, matter of curiosity?