§ 79. Mr. CADOGANasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will make com- 1111 pulsory use of local anæsthesia in the case of horses of all ages in the operations of gelding and docking?
Mr. GUINNESSThe Select Committee of the House of Lords which considered the Animals (Anæsthetics) Bill of 1919 examined expert witnesses of all kinds and decided that the use of an anæsthetic in the castration of animals, except dogs and cats over six months of age, was neither desirable nor practicable. I have considered this question in conjunction with my expert advisers, but I see no reason for departing from the decision reached in 1919. The Animals (Anæsthetics) Act already provides that a local anæsthetic shall be used in the docking of horses.