§ Mr. Anthony GreenwoodI wish to present a Petition calling for the prohibition of deer hunting, more usually known as stag hunting. The Petition, which is headed by the names of Mr. Clinton Gray-Fisk, Chairman of the National Society for the Abolition of Cruel Sports, and Mr. Hall, Chief Secretary of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, has been signed by more than 800,000 citizens. The Petition reads as follows:
To the Honourable the Commons of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in Parliament assembled. 1148 The humble Petition of citizens of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
Sheweth:
That the practice of hunting deer with horses and hounds involves the infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering upon defenceless creatures, and that, if in the interests of agriculture control of their numbers be necessary, other means should be adopted.
Wherefore your Petitioners pray that the practice of hunting deer with horses and hounds be prohibited by law by your Honourable House.
And your Petitioners, as in duty bound, will ever pray.
§ Mr. ShinwellOn a point of order. Before I came into the House, an hon. Member opposite suggested that it might be useful if the names were read out.
§ Mr. SpeakerI cannot agree with that opinion. In any case, the Standing Orders make provision for the Petition, but not for the names, being read out.
§ Petition to lie upon the Table.