§ 72. Mr. Perkinsasked the Minister of Agriculture whether he will consider introducing legislation designed to prevent the docking of horses, in view of the pain inflicted on the animal during the operation and of the fact that a docked horse has no protection against flies?
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. W. S. Morrison)The operation of docking is scheduled under the Animals (Anaesthetics) Act, 1919, which requires that the animal, during the whole of the operation, shall be under the influence of a general or a local anaesthetic being, in either case, of sufficient power to prevent it feeling pain. I do not regard a general prohibition of docking as practicable.
§ Mr. PerkinsIs the Minister aware that in the agricultural area which lies between Cirencester and Tewkesbury this operation is carried out regularly without an anaesthetic?
Mr. De la BèreMay I ask the Minister whether he is aware that my questions upon agricultural subjects are docked at the Table, and, further, is he aware that there are no flies on me?
§ Mr. MorrisonI understand that the operation of docking is, in all circumstances, accompanied by a suitable anaesthetic. With regard to the question put 565 by my hon. Friend the Member for Stroud (Mr. Perkins), if he can give me some information in support of his general statement, I shall be obliged to him.
§ Mr. H. MorrisonIs there any definite advantage in having these animals docked?
§ Mr. MorrisonYes, Sir. I am told that frequently it is unsafe to use an undocked horse as a draught horse. It may involve a driver in serious risks.