HC Deb 29 April 1929 vol 227 cc1284-5
21. Mr. DAY

asked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has received a report from his inspectors stationed at the various ports of the number of horses that were intended for immediate slaughter exported during the six months ended to the last convenient date?

The MINISTER of AGRICULTURE (Mr. Guinness)

During the six months ended 31st March, 1929, 4,959 horses were shipped to the Continent from ports in Great Britain, of which 2,607 went to Holland. Inquiries show that of the latter number approximately 90 per cent. were slaughtered on arrival. None of the horses exported to France or Belgium were intended for slaughter.

Mr. DAY

Can the right hon. Gentleman tell us the number exported to France and Belgium, and how long after they arrived there were they intended for slaughter?

Mr. GUINNESS

Our information was that they were not intended for slaughter in France and Belgium. There has been a great change in the traffic, and there are now three times as many horse car-cases taken to France and Belgium as there were in 1920, and they are encouraged only to bring live horses in if they are wanted to work.

Mr. DAY

Can the right hon. Gentleman answer my question as to the number of horses intended for immediate slaughter?

Mr. GUINNESS

I have answered it. I said inquiries show what percentage were slaughtered. We can only give the figures which we have been able to obtain.