§ 12. Mr. Liptonasked the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food whether he will review the present system of bull licensing.
§ Mr. John HareThe present system is governed by the Improvement of Live Stock (Licensing of Bulls) Act, 1931, as amended by the Agriculture (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, 1944; any change would, therefore, require legislation. No representations have been made to me by the breed societies urging any fundamental change of present arrangements.
§ Mr. LiptonIs not the right hon. Gentleman aware that a lot has happened since 1931 and 1944, when, apparently, this was last looked at—long before the Daily Mirror went in for the bull buying business? Is he not aware that there has been widespread dissatisfaction expressed by the farming community about the very curious way in which the regulations are at present being carried out? May I send him, if he does not know about it already, the resolution of protest adopted by the executive of the Berkshire branch of the National Farmers' Union?
§ Mr. HareI think that the hon. Gentleman's question may have been connected with certain information on the subject of a certain bull published 8 in a certain newspaper. Good judges decided that Ferdinand's beauty was only skin-deep. I am sure the House would wish him a happy future free from the cares and responsibilities of married life.