§ 35. Mr. Peter Freemanasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many prosecutions have taken place under the Cruelty to Animals Act since it was first introduced in 1876; and how many have been made since the war and in 1952.
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeMy consent is required only to prosecutions under the Act against licensed persons. There has never been such a prosecution.
§ Mr. FreemanIn view of the fact that, during 77 years, there have been more than 50 million experiments on living animals, many of which have been the cause of gross cruelty to the animals concerned, is not this Act a farce when there has not been a single prosecution over the whole of those 77 years?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeI disagree pro-foundly. In point of fact, the opposite is demonstrated. Offences serious enough to justify prosecution do not occur because the Act is honestly observed to the best of their ability by those who work it, and because the inspectors are able to help licensees to understand and observe the limitations imposed upon them and so prevent major infractions of the terms of the licences.
§ Mr. FreemanIs it not obvious, then, that the animals concerned have no protection whatsoever, in view of the gross forms of cruelty that have been reported from time to time?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeNo; and I do not agree with the premise on which the hon. Gentleman is asking the question.
§ Sir H. WilliamsIs it not the case that the bulk of the millions of operations to which the hon. Member for Newport (Mr. Peter Freeman) refers are, in fact, nothing more than minor operations involving nothing more serious than a prick such as one would get from a thorn when gathering a rose; and is not this propaganda absolutely monstrous?
§ Mr. de FreitasIs it not the fact that the limitations and restrictions imposed by the Home Office under the Act under which they operate are extremely severe, so that it is almost impossible to bring a case of cruelty?
§ Sir D. Maxwell FyfeYes, I entirely agree.