§ 24. Lieut.-Colonel Sir Thomas Mooreasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department what arrangements have been made or are contemplated to deal with the protection or humane destruction of animals in the scheme for Civil Defence.
§ The Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department (Mr. Geoffrey de Freitas)I am considering this together with my right hon. Friend the Minister of Agriculture. Later the veterinary profession and the appropriate voluntary societies will be consulted.
§ Sir T. MooreWill the hon. Gentleman bear in mind, in framing the instructions, the chaos that existed at the beginning of the last war through lack of foresight in issuing the necessary instructions?
§ Mr. de FreitasThat is being considered at the moment.
§ Mr. H. HyndWill my hon. Friend also try to avoid bringing about indiscriminate slaughter of household pets, such as happened when the last air raids took place?
§ Mr. de FreitasYes, Sir.