§ 52. Mr. JOHN LOCKWOODasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware of the cruelty caused to animals which are exhibited in menageries and alleged fun fairs for private profit; and whether, in view of the distress caused to animal lovers, he will take such steps as are necessary, by legislation or otherwise, to stop such exhibitions?
§ The UNDER-SECRETARY of STATE for the HOME DEPARTMENT (Captain Euan Wallace)No cases of the kind suggested in my hon. Friend's question have been brought to the notice of my Department. The Protection of Animals Act, 1911, already provides substantial penalties for cruelty of this nature; and the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act, 1925, gives power to a Court of Summary Jurisdiction, on proof of cruelty, to prohibit the training or exhibition of performing animals, or to impose conditions in relation to it. My right hon. Friend accordingly sees no ground for proposing additional legislation.
§ Mr. GODFREY NICHOLSONIs the hon. Member aware that there is something approaching cruelty in keeping large animals in very small travelling cages?
§ Captain WALLACEMy hon. Friend will realise that if cruelty is proved there are substantial penalties for dealing with it. For that reason, there is no ground for passing additional legislation.
§ Mr. NICHOLSONSurely that is begging the question.