§ 19. Mr. Croninasked the Secretary of Slate for the Home Department if he will introduce legislation to protect the public from dangerous wild beasts in private ownership.
§ Mr. CarlisleThe Animals Bill clarifies the liability at civil law of persons who keep potentially dangerous animals. Other aspects of this matter are being studied, but my right hon. Friend is not in a position to say anything at present about the need for further legislative provisions.
§ Mr. CroninWill the Under-Secretary of Slate expedite his studies, having regard to the serious danger to the public, particularly to small children? Will he bear in mind that several thousands of potentially dangerous wild animals are imported without restriction every year; and that the cases of injury winch receive publicity are a very small minority of the total?
§ Mr. CarlisleI can assure the hon. Gentleman that we are studying the problems involved, although I am happy to say that injury to members of the public in this country by wild animals is infrequent.