§ 36. Mr. MACQUISTENasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he has considered the copy sent to him of a memorandum by the International League against the export of horses for butchery, which shows that the majority of horses certified at British ports for export are horses whose days of labour it is not considered either decent or humane to prolong over here; and whether he will take steps to prevent the export of such horses?
§ Sir J. GILMOURI have read the memorandum referred to. The statement contained therein to the effect mentioned by my hon. and learned Friend is not correct. The standard of fitness which has been adopted at British ports for many years is such that no horses are passed for shipment which are in such a physical condition that they are not capable of working without suffering. The 32 last part of the question does not, therefore, arise.
§ Mr. MACQUISTENIs there no way of "choking off" these collecting societies from advertising themselves by publishing these incorrect statements?
§ Lieut.-Colonel MOOREWould not my right hon. Friend consider this point, that it might be more proper to define more accurately the types of horses which can be exported under the existing Statutes: and would he not also consider the fact that there are horses at present exported which are capable of working but which undergo a considerable amount of suffering in being transported to that work across the Channel?
§ Sir J. GILMOURThe investigations made by the Departmental Committee which inquired into this traffic in 1925 showed that a considerable proportion even of the horses which were rejected were returned to work in this country.
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONDoes my right hon. Friend consider the present state of affairs to be satisfactory or not?
§ Sir J. GILMOURAs far as our administration is concerned, I believe the position to be satisfactory.