§ 17. Mr. M. Stewartasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether he will cause inquiry to be made into the methods used in the training of performing animals.
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeNo, Sir. I have no reason to think that the system of supervision provided by the Performing Animals (Regulation) Act, 1925, is in need of revision.
§ Mr. StewartHas the right hon. and gallant Gentleman studied the review which I recently sent him of a recently published autobiography of a circus trainer, who stated from his experience that it was impossible to train performing animals without cruelty of a kind which contravenes the existing law?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI have heard that on many occasions. The Act of 1925 has very wide powers which, when proof is given, can lead to all the performances being forbidden, and indeed to the licence being taken away.
§ Mr. Peter FreemanIs it not a fact that most of these animals are trained abroad in conditions which would never be tolerated in this country? Will the right hon. and gallant Gentleman receive a deputation from animal welfare societies to be given information about this subject, and give further consideration to it?
§ Major Lloyd-GeorgeI do not know about a deputation, but if the hon. Member will let me have any information that he has, I shall be glad to look into it.