§ 32. Captain P. MACDONALDasked the Minister of Agriculture whether, in view of the misrepresentations which are frequently made as to the adequacy of existing provisions dealing with the conditions under which horses can be exported from this country, he will consider the desirability of issuing a regular report based on information supplied by his 542 inspectors, giving particulars with regard to horses exported from this country during the period under review and the steps which were taken to ensure that they were fit for shipping and work?
§ Sir G. BOWYERMy right hon. Friend fully agrees that it is desirable that information on this subject should be available, and he is glad of the opportunity of drawing attention to the fact that particulars with regard to horses ex-ported from this country and the steps taken to ensure that they are fit to travel and to work without suffering, as required by existing legislation, are published annually and are contained in the report of the proceedings under the Diseases of Animals Acts which is usually available in the month of August.
§ Mr. HENDERSON STEWARTIs it not a fact that the representations which have been made refer, not to the conditions regarding the export of the horses from this side, but to what happens to the horses when they reach the other side; and is it not the case that no report of the Ministry can possibly deal with that matter?
§ Sir G. BOWYERI think I have answered the question on the Paper.
§ Mr. RADFORDDoes not the hon. Gentleman agree that the export of horses which have done their duty in this country is a standing reproach to us, and that the vast majority of the people of this country, as well as of the Members of this House, would support a Bill to abolish this traffic?