§ 34. Sir T. Mooreasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will consider issuing a circular to magistrates courts in respect of the penalties imposed for gross cruelty to animals.
§ Mr. EdeNo, Sir, it is for the magistrates who have all the evidence before them to decide what is the appropriate penalty in each particular case.
§ Sir T. MooreIn view of the substantial amount of public anxiety about this increasing number of cases of cruelty to animals, now estimated at 30,000 a year, does not the right hon. Gentleman think that some indication might be given to magistrates to exercise more control?
§ Mr. EdeI have no reason to think that in this particular matter magistrates fail in the duty to discharge the oath they take on their appointment.