HC Deb 21 May 1954 vol 527 cc2515-6

1.53 p.m.

Sir Thomas Moore (Ayr)

I beg to move, in page 1, line 5, to leave out "is convicted and has previously," and to insert "who has."

When this small, but admirable and important Bill was in Committee I suggested that it might be applied to Scotland. Happily my hon. Friend the Member for Wokingham (Mr. Remnant) cordially agreed with this suggestion, and the Joint Under-Secretary of State for Scotland, who is in his place, generously undertook to give us the assistance of the skilled and erudite staff of the Scottish Office in the drafting of the necessary Amendments.

Two alternatives were open to us. One was a short Amendment which would simply make the Bill apply to Scotland but would not have made an action regarded as an offence in England so regarded in Scotland. The other alternative was a series of apparently complicated Amendments which looked very formidable on paper but which did make the Bill apply properly to Scotland.

I should be grateful for your assistance and guidance, Mr. Deputy-Speaker, on this question, because the Amendments, with the exception of one, in page 2, line 39, are simply to give effect to the application of the Bill to Scotland. Do you think it is necessary for me to explain each one individually, since I should have to repeat almost the same wording every time?

Mr. Deputy-Speaker (Sir Charles MacAndrew)

It might be for the convenience of the House to consider all the Amendments together.

Mr. Peter Remnant (Workingham)

I beg to second the Amendment.

I hesitate to suggest that the people who come from the delightful country of Scotland are less kind to animals than we are further south.

Mr. Glenvil Hall (Colne Valley)

We on the Opposition side of the House raise no objection to these Amendments.

Amendment agreed to.

Further Amendments made: In page 1, line 6, after "1911," insert: or the Protection of Animals (Scotland) Act, 1912.

In page 1. line 6, after "1911," insert: is subsequently convicted under either of those Acts of such an offence.

In line 8, after "convicted," insert: on the subsequent occasion."—[Sir T. Moore.]