§ 75. Mr. MATTERSasked the Minister of Agriculture if he can now assure the House that the export of horses from the United Kingdom to the Continent for slaughter there has entirely ceased?
§ Mr. N. BUXTONThere is no statutory prohibition of the exportation of horses to the Continent for the purpose of slaughter. I would remind my hon. Friend that full particulars as to the extent and nature of this trade have been given in recent answers to questions.
§ Mr. FREEMANCan the right hon. Gentleman assure us that the animals sent are killed by the humane slaughterers?
§ Mr. BUXTONThat has been the case in recent times. In Holland humane slaughter is compulsory. All the British horses which have gone to Paris have been shot.