§ 13. Mr. WESTWOODasked the Home Secretary whether he is prepared to take powers to prevent further incidents such as that associated with the Devon and Somerset staghounds in August last, when a stag was roped over the antlers, dragged out of the river and its throat cut in the presence of a large crowd of people?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI cannot undertake to introduce legislation on the subject of stag hunting at the present time.
§ Mr. NEIL MACLEANIs the right hon. Gentleman not aware that there is a great outcry in the country against a lot of these cruel sports, and will he not take into consideration legislation against some of these so-called sports, which are in reality brutality?
§ Sir W. JOYNSON-HICKSI really think the hon. Member exaggerates altogether his own feelings, and attributes them to the country at large.
§ Mr. WESTWOODIs the Home Secretary aware that there is an enormous number of letters of protest, that ministers of the Gospel have preached against these sports from their pulpits, and that it is not an outcry from this side only but from even his own side?
§ Mr. SPEAKERThe hon. Member must not make a speech.