§ 43. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he can state the destination of the 4,214 horses exported during the six months ended 31st January, 1927; and particularly the 1,600 of that number which were intended for immediate slaughter?
Mr. GUINNESSThe destination of these horses is as follows:—
As far as can be ascertained, 1,600 horses went to Holland for immediate slaughter, five went to Belgium for that purpose, and none went to other countries.
Belgium 438 Holland 2,368 France 1,234 Other countries 174
§ Colonel APPLINDoes not the right hon. Gentleman think the time has now come to put an end to this inhuman traffic in horses?
Mr. GUINNESSI do not think there is any inhuman traffic. In the first place, a horse which is to be allowed out of the country has to be able to work and to travel without any cruelty, and no horses are going to France or Belgium—or only five went in the six months, to Belgium—for slaughter. They are only going to these countries to work.
§ Mr. MORRISONIn view of the statement of the right hon. Gentleman has made that every horse to be exported must be fit for work, how does he explain the figure he has given of 1,600 horses exported for slaughter?
Mr. GUINNESSThere is nothing to prevent people on the Continent slaughtering horses for human consumption which are fit for work, and, as a matter of fact, there is a very large demand in Holland for horses of this character for human consumption. In the case of that country no allegation whatever has been made against the humane methods of slaughter, which are quite equal to those in this country.