HC Deb 25 November 1948 vol 458 cc1400-1
40. Mrs. Manning

asked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he is aware that a person who wishes to borrow a humane killer to kill an animal elsewhere than in a registered slaughter house, has to obtain a firearms certificate from the local chief constable; and whether, in view of the fact that this obligation discourages the use of humane killers in many cases and that there is no danger to human life in the possession of a humane killer, he will consider amending his order on this subject.

Mr. Ede

The Firearms Act, 1937, forbids the use of a humane killer in such circumstances unless it is authorised by a firearm certificate, and I have no power to waive the requirements of the Act. In such a case the certificate would be issued free of charge.

Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Moore

Is the right hon. Gentleman aware that humane killers can he, and have been, used to commit suicide and murder and is he further aware that inspectors of the R.S.P.C.A. and all the other great animal protection societies are always ready to slaughter animals humanely upon request?

Mr. Ede

I understand that these humane killers, in the hands of careless or ill-disposed persons, can be dangerous to life; and Parliament has imposed this restriction on their use.

Mr. E. P. Smith

Do these humane killers have to be surrendered to the police after use and, if so, how does the right hon. Gentleman's Department dispose of them?

Mr. Ede

No, Sir. The humane killer is subject to particular Acts of Parliament, one of which, I believe, was introduced by the hon. and gallant Member for Ayr Burghs (Sir T. Moore) when he demonstrated to the House how it could be used by putting it to his forehead but, unfortunately, he missed.

Mr. Scollan

Was the humane killer used for the snoek recently supplied to hon. Members?