HC Deb 05 November 1956 vol 558 cc1935-6
27. Mr. Crouch

asked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food what further investigations have been made to find the cause of death of the foal from the National Stud which died at the Doncaster sales.

Mr. Amory

As an examination of internal organs at the Ministry's Veterinary Laboratory disclosed no evidence of infectious disease or poisoning, further inquiries would not have served any useful purpose.

Mr. Crouch

Is my right hon. Friend aware that a number of my constituents are concerned about the death of this animal and that it is not the first occasion that animals from this Stud have died at the Doncaster sales? May I again ask whether he is satisfied with the management of the Stud and that there was no trace of arsenic? Do I understand it was anticipated that this animal would have realised the highest price of any animal produced at the National Stud?

Mr. Amory

I share the chagrin of my hon. Friend at the loss of this foal, but I am completely satisfied with the management of the National Stud, and there was no evidence of arsenic or any other poisoning.

Mr. Paget

Is the Minister aware that studs, whether they belong to the nation or not, lose a percentage of foals from unascertained causes?

Mr. Amory

I am afraid that that is one of the sad facts of life.

Commander Scott-Miller

Is it not a fact that this animal was a yearling and not a foal?

Mr. Amory

My hon. and gallant Friend has raised a feeling of great uncertainty in my mind which I shall take an early opportunity to resolve.