§ 57. Mr. Grantasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department how many convictions for cruelty to animals there were in the years 1960 to 1964, respectively.
§ Miss BaconThe figures for 1964 are not yet available. The numbers of convictions recorded in the years 1960 to 1963 are as follows: 1960–614, 1961–836, 1962–830 and 1963–852.
§ Mr. GrantWill the hon. Lady agree with me that we seem to be more vigilant in bringing prosecutions for cruelty to animals than to children, or is it the case that there are many more cases of cruelty to animals than to children? Which conclusion does she draw?
§ Miss BaconIt would be difficult to say which of those propositions is right but, as I said in my previous answer, it would be very much more helpful if everybody was vigilant and reported cases of cruelty to children.