§ The Minister shall secure the inspection and examination of a licensed stallion at such intervals as he may consider proper for the purpose of ascertaining that there is no ground for revoking the licence in respect of the stallion.—[Mr. T. Williams.]
§ Brought up, and read the First time.
§ 3.47 P.m.
§ The Minister of Agriculture (Mr. Thomas Williams)I beg to move, "That the Clause be read a Second time."
This new Clause has, been put down at the request of hon. Members opposite, who raised this matter in Committee. It was thought at that time by the hon. and gallant Member for Richmond (Sir T. Dugdale) and the hon. Member for Ton-bridge (Mr. G. Williams), that all stallions ought to be examined at least once a year to ascertain whether or not they were diseased, or whether conformation was not right. At that time I thought that perhaps they had made something of a case, but that it was impossible to have an examination exactly each year, within the 365 days. However, we have, as nearly as we could, given effect to their general desires by making it clear in this new Clause that an examination will take place at such intervals as we may consider necessary for this particular purpose. I hope that hon. Members opposite will feel that we have given effect to the promise I made.
§ Mr. Gerald Williams (Tonbridge)We welcome this new Clause as being an improvement on the Bill. However, as the whole Bill depends on an adequate inspection I feel that it is still a little loose. It simply says that stallions shall be inspected at intervals, as the Minister considers proper. That is very vague. The Minister said that he hopes to do it once a year; but we may eventually get an extremely slack Minister, or slack people who have to carry the order out. In fact, some animals may even get missed altogether for a year or two. We are very keen that these permits should be stamped with a rubber stamp, or endorsed with some Government mark, so that we know 618 that the stallion cannot carry on its duties unless the permit is in adequate order. The Minister is no doubt happy in his mind that this will be the case, but we should have been happier had it been stated in the Bill that the permit has to be stamped every year. It is easy to get a permit for a young stallion; if he is pure he will probably pass the examination with the utmost ease, but within a few years anything might happen. Unless we know that the permit will be stamped by Government officials each year, the Bill will not he satisfactory.
§ Major Sir Thomas Dugdale (Richmond)The new Clause goes a long way to meet our wishes. I would like the assurance of the Minister, however, that, although the phraseology does not use the words "annual inspection," it is the general policy of the Government that inspections should be made as nearly annually as is possible and practicable.
§ Mr. T. WilliamsI can reply only with the permission of the House. I think I can give that assurance at once to the hon. and gallant Member for Richmond (Sir T. Dugdale). It is our intention, as nearly as is humanly possible, consistent with the number of veterinary surgeons available, to have annual inspections, but we do not want to be tied down to an exact date.
§ Question put, and agreed to.
§ Clause read a Second time, and added to the Bill.