§ 35. Mr. R. MORRISONasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has any information as to the number of Dartmoor ponies exported during the past 12 months; at what ports they were landed and for what purpose; and whether he is satisfied that wild ponies can be conveyed abroad arid disembarked without cruelty?
§ The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)The number of Devonshire ponies exported to the Continent during the past 12 months is 350. These include ponies from Exmoor as well as Dartmoor. The ponies were landed at Antwerp and Ghent, and, according to information obtained by inspectors of the Ministry, were disposed of for working purposes, chiefly for use in small farmers' carts, milk floats, etc. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.
§ Mr. HORE-BELISHAAre there inspectors of the Ministry on the other side, or only on this side?
§ Mr. GUINNESSOn several occasions our inspectors have travelled over in the ships with the consignments of ponies, and have traced them to their destination.
§ Mr. GUINNESSI think the average was somewhere about £10—£10 10s. as a matter of fact.
Commander WILLIAMSIs the right hon. Gentleman doing anything to encourage the use of these ponies in this country, where their treatment would possibly be rather better?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI would be glad to do anything which my hon. and gallant Friend could suggest in that direction, but, of course, as he is probably aware, the difficulty has been caused by the smaller demand for the ponies in the mining areas.
§ 41. Sir A. HOLBROOKasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received any complaint as to the exportation of unbroken wild Dartmoor ponies for butchery or work abroad and whether he will consider taking action under the powers conferred under the Exportation of Horses Act, 1914?
§ Mr. GUINNESSI would refer my hon. and gallant Friend to the reply I gave on Thursday last to the hon. Member for North Camberwell (Mr. Ammon), a copy of which I am sending to him.