§ 15. Mr. Probertasked the Secretary of State for Wales what progress is being made by the working party which he set up to examine the problems caused by straying animals, particularly in South Wales.
§ Mr. Gibson-WattThe working party has met eight times and has received written evidence from 83 bodies. Investigation is continuing.
§ Mr. ProbertIs the hon. Gentleman aware that, while the Bill passed last year rectified a serious anomaly in the law dealing with stray animals, the position in South Wales is still serious and 14 the public are awaiting the results of the working party, and indeed the Government's proposals, to put an end to this continuing, vexatious problem?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattI have chaired six of the eight meetings of the working party, and I assure the hon. Gentleman that we are dealing with a complicated matter which is different in almost every part of South Wales. I am sure that he would be the first to give credit to the Government for being the first Government to tackle the problem.
§ Mr. McBrideWill the hon. Gentleman tell the House what solution he offered to the Swansea City Council, on the occasion of his recent visit, to the problem of the large number of apparently owner-less horses which are causing depredation?
§ Mr. Gibson-WattI had a most interesting conversation with the Mayor and Council of Swansea on the subject of horses in Swansea. If the hon. Gentleman would like to know the details, I shall be glad to go into them with him later.