§ 54. Mr. Rankinasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department whether, in view of the public disquiet on the matter, he will appoint a Royal Commission or other suitable body to inquire into the law relating to the hunting of stags and other wild animals.
§ Mr. R. A. ButlerNo, Sir. The Committee on Cruelty to Wild Animals reported fully on this subject in 1951.
§ Mr. RankinSince we had that report, is the Home Secretary not aware that new evidence is forthcoming? Has the right hon. Gentleman studied the copy of the Daily Mirror of 5th May which I sent to him in order that he might be better informed on the matter? Photographs in that newspaper show the final episodes in the hunting of a stag. These were photographed by an American teacher who described the incidents in the hunting of this animal as, "The most outrageous brutality I have seen." Do the photographs not stir the conscience of the right hon. Gentleman? If they do, is he prepared to think about doing something to stop this outrage on the conscience of the British people?
§ Mr. ButlerNo, Sir. I could not go as far as the hon. Gentleman. Perhaps the House will remember that the Committee's recommendation on red deer hunting was:
Hunting is a useful and necessary method of controlling red deer on Exmoor, and the deer could not be destroyed or controlled, without danger to persons or stock, in a way that would cause less suffering. It should therefore be allowed to continue".
§ Mr. RankinIs the Home Secretary not aware that we can control deer in Scotland without committing the outrages that are committed here? Can he not follow the method that is practised in Scotland?
§ Mr. ButlerI have studied the methods in Scotland. This is highly contentious matter. If the hon. Gentleman wishes to give me any further evidence, perhaps he will do so.
§ Mr. RankinThank you.