§ 37. Major CARVERasked the Minister of Agriculture whether recent investigations still support the opinion of his Departmental Committee, set up in March, 1925, to inquire into the conditions of the export-trade in horses from Great Britain to the Continent, to the effect that everything 1168 possible is being done for the comfort and well-being of horses on sea journeys?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)Yes, Sir. Only 25 fatal casualties occurred during the sea passage out of 30,930 horses shipped to the Continent during the years 1925 to 1927 inclusive, which is a better record than that for the three preceding years upon which the Departmental Committee commented favourably. In accordance with the recommendation of the Committee the carriage of horses is not allowed when there are reasonable grounds for anticipating adverse weather conditions likely to cause injury or suffering to the animals.
§ Mr. R. MORRISONIs this export trade in horses increasing or diminishing?
§ Mr. GUINNESSIt is decreasing.