HC Deb 08 February 1956 vol 548 cc1687-8
Mr. J. Nixon Browne

I beg to move, in page 15, line 36, to leave out from "letters" to the end of line 38 and to insert: not less than four inches in height stating that horseflesh is sold there, is at all times displayed in a conspicuous position. During discussion in Committee on this Clause, which was then Clause 20, Amendments were moved by hon. Members opposite to strengthen the wording by providing that the notices to be displayed in shops selling horseflesh should be of a certain size, should occupy a certain position and should be permanently displayed. I agreed to table an Amendment which would give effect to the spirit of those Amendments, though not necessarily in the same words, as they themselves were in slight conflict.

Examination of the Clause has revealed that it is possible to strengthen and to simplify at the same time. As drafted. the Clause made no provision for the size of the lettering of the notice, apart from the fact that it should be legible and it implied that the notice need be put up only at times when horseflesh was being sold. The Amendment provides that, wherever horseflesh is sold, a notice in letters not less than four inches in height shall be displayed in a conspicuous position at all times. There will thus be no possibility of shopkeepers selling horseflesh for human consumption and misleading their customers.

Mr. G. M. Thomson

We are all glad to see the Joint Under-Secretary back in his place and recovered from the illness to which, no doubt, the labours that we forced on him during Committee stage contributed, but if he has not yet completely recovered I am sure that our proceedings today will be an additional tonic for him.

I should like to express my personal gratitude to the Joint Under-Secretary for carrying out the undertaking he gave in Committee to take back this part of the Bill and re-write it in a fuller form to safeguard the interests of the public more strongly.

Amendment agreed to.