§ 24. Mr. Lomasasked the Chancellor of the Exchequer why no licence is required for a hound bred for hunting until it is 12 months old.
§ Mr. MacDermotThe reason given to the House in 1878 was that it would be difficult to tell in under twelve months whether the animal would be a useful member of the pack.
§ Mr. LomasAs something may have happened since 1878, I think that we might get round to changing that Measure. Would not my hon. and learned Friend agree that an element of social injustice is involved here, when the mongrel pup of an old-age pensioner is liable for a licence at six months but a hound bred for hunting—the unspeakable chasing the uneatable—can get away without the licence? Will he look into the matter again?
§ Mr. MacDermotMy hon. Friend should not mince his words. He will be interested to know that in 1878 this Measure was opposed as a gross piece of class legislation. All I can say in answer to his further question is that I cannot give any undertaking that my right hon. Friend will put this matter high in his list of priorities for tax reform.