§ 40. Mr. Donald Chapmanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many successful and unsuccessful prosecutions for ill-treatment of domestic animals were made in 1951, or the latest convenient period of one year: whether his attention has been called to the number of additional warnings issued to offenders by the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals; and whether he will draw the attention of magistrates to their powers of imprisonment in cases of proved ill-treatment.
§ The Secretary of State for the Home Department (Sir David Maxwell Fyfe)The criminal statistics do not distinguish between offences of ill-treatment of domestic and other animals. During the 12 months ended 30th September, 1951, 1,012 persons were charged with offences of ill-treatment, of whom 869 were convicted. Of these 26 were sentenced to imprisonment. I have no reason to think that magistrates are unaware of their powers.
I have no knowledge of the circumstances in which warnings were given by the R.S.P.C.A. to persons who were not charged with an offence.
§ Mr. ChapmanIs the Home Secretary aware that the R.S.P.C.A. is now issuing, every year, something like 11,000 oral warnings, in addition to many other kinds of warning, to people who ill-treat animals? Is he further aware that a man who beats a dog to death with a crowbar is fined a miserable £7? Is he satisfied that the magistrates are really using their powers of imprisonment to try to stamp out this sadism in our national life?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI have no reason to think that magistrates are unaware of their powers. I should also like to say, as I have said on so many other occasions, that I am not going to be a party to the Executive giving directions to magistrates as to how they should do their work. I think that magistrates, who have the whole facts of each case before them, can best decide the appropriate penalty. Much as I regret—as does everyone in the House—the existence of these offences, I am not going to depart from that principle. On the other hand, the raising of the point by the hon. Member for Northfield (Mr. Chapman) and the obvious unanimity of feeling against these offences will go out from this House to the country.
§ Miss Irene WardAs a magistrate, may I ask my right hon. and learned Friend whether he is aware that I think the maximum sentences which can be imposed are too light and that they should be raised? Will he please consider this question from the point of view of a magistrate?
§ Sir D. Maxwell Fyferose—
§ Mr. SpeakerMr. Ian Harvey.
§ Mr. SpeakerI thought the hon. Lady was conveying information rather than asking for it.
§ Miss WardI did see my right hon. and learned Friend rise; so he evidently did not think I was conveying information. Might I have an answer to my question?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeFurther to that point of order. I should like to assure the House that all the words of wisdom which proceed from my hon. Friend are duly noted by me.
§ Mr. ChapmanOn a point of order. In view of the unsatisfactory nature of the reply, I beg to give notice that I propose to raise the matter on the Adjournment.