HC Deb 13 March 1972 vol 833 cc13-4

The following Question stood upon the Order Paper:

17. FRED EVANS

To ask the Secretary of State for Wales what progress he has made in his consideration of steps to protect children in the valley communities of South Wales from injury by animals straying into built-up areas from neighbouring hill areas.

Mr. Speaker

Mr. Fred Evans, to ask Question No. 17.

Mr. Evans

Will the hon. Gentleman accept that I—

Hon. Members

Ask the Question.

Mr. Evans

I am sorry—Question No. 17.

Mr. Gibson-Watt

The working party is still receiving evidence and making site visits.

Mr. Evans

Will the hon. Gentleman accept that I anticipated his answer and also the fact that he has had a committee considering this matter for about 12 meetings? Will he accept that while we on this side of the House realise that this is a long and intractable problem, we take the view that it is high time we got some results? Will the hon. Gentleman further accept that in my constituency there have been four recent cases of this kind, including one a week ago last Saturday when a four-year-old boy was savagely attacked by wild ponies and kicked in the head in an area which could have led to the loss of his sight? This happened in the middle of a built-up, modern housing estate. Will the hon. Gentleman further accept, in all seriousness, that unless something is done about this very quickly, there will inevitably be a fatality among children?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

I accept what the hon. Gentleman says. This is a serious business, and that is why this Government—not the previous one—set up the working party. The hon. Gentleman spoke about anticipating things. May I tell him that he and his right hon. Friends could have done more about this in the past. We intend to do more about it in the future.

Mr. McBride

Is the hon. Gentleman aware that, while the consideration proceeds, in Swansea depredation by roaming horses continues and serious damage will be done there in the future, as it has been in the past? In another direction, will the hon. Gentleman appreciate that some adventurous-minded children, who will ride these wild ponies, will inevitably meet with serious injury and that it is in an attempt to forestall this that we hope the Government will come forward with proposals?

Mr. Gibson-Watt

I accept what the hon. Gentleman says. This is an important matter in Swansea, and when I visited there with the working party we were told all the details of the problem. I assure all hon. Members that we shall not take any longer than we have to, but this is a complicated business and needs a bit of time.