§ 67. Mr. HANCOCKasked the Minister of Agriculture whether his attention has been drawn to the very prolonged torture of animals during a recent slaughter for foot-and-mouth disease at Thrumpton and to the further fact that two men were fined £20 each for cruelty in connection therewith; and, if so, will he take such steps as are necessary to secure the appointment of capable men for this work and the despatching of condemned animals as quickly and with as little suffering as possible?
The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Sir Arthur Boscawen)I would refer my hon. Friend to the replies which I gave to the hon. Member for Kincardine and Western (Lieut.-Colonel A. Murray) on the 1st instant, and to the hon. Member for Rushcliffe (Mr. Betterton) on the 3rd instant.
§ Mr. G. LAMBERTIs it not possible for the Board of Agriculture to prescribe that humane killers should be used in each case?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThis question was answered last week. It should not be placed upon the Paper when it has been answered quite recently.