HC Deb 29 July 1936 vol 315 cc1520-1
43. Brigadier - General CLIFTON BROWN

asked the Minister of Transport whether, seeing that heavy motor cars constructed or adapted for the conveyance of horses and their attendants, and used solely for that purpose, are permitted to travel on a road at 30 miles per hour, in order to facilitate the conveyance of other live animals by road to market, he is prepared to exercise his power under Section 10 of the Road Traffic Act, 1930, of varying the speed limit by increasing to 30 miles per hour the maximum speed of a heavy motor car constructed or adapted for the conveyance of sheep, cattle or pigs?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

The provision in question refers specifically and solely to horses, cattle being implicitly excluded, doubtless upon humane grounds.

Brigadier-General BROWN

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that butchers give extra money for sheep which are delivered in this way; and would he consider enabling farmers to make use of this means of transport for cattle?

Mr. HORE-BELISHA

I understand that race horses are delivered in specially padded boxes, whereas it would be cruelty to the cattle—although perhaps a convenience to the farmer—to send them travelling at a great speed in wagons not specially constructed for the purpose.