CONSEQUENTIAL AMENDMENTS (Hansard, 12 June 1981)

§ Mr. Blackburn
I beg to move, That the Bill be now read the Third time.
As promoter of the Bill, I find it wonderful that we have reached the Third Reading. It is an historic day in the life of the zoo world, in that we have gone far to create legislation that will raise the standard of the industry, of zoo husbandry and of the status of the profession.
I pay tribute particularly to Lord Craigton, who has shown a dedication to the issue the like of which we have not witnessed for a long time. The zoo world has played a prominent part in the vital consultations. The people and associations involved have been referred to by name. I wish to mention especially Miss Tomasin of the RSPCA, who has worked on the Bill with a dedication that reflects great credit on her association.
702 In creating this unique and long-overdue legislation we are enacting a comprehensive measure to ensure the continued success of the industry in education, tourism, recreation and the corporate care and welfare of animals in captivity.
Over 350 amendments and 11 new clauses have been tabled in Committee and on Report. The Bill has been subject to the most serious and intense debate and consideration. I hope that the House will agree that it has been through the critical fire of judgment and has emerged as a measure of which we can justly be proud. It is a fair, just and reasonable method of licensing. It has sought vigorously and with care to exercise consideration for the excellent staff who serve the industry. It gives the protection that the public want when they visit animal collections. It furthers the welfare of animals and contains safegaurds to which the industry has given its blessing.
If I were to conclude there I should be unfair, because I must pay a warm tribute to the Minister and members of his staff who have worked so hard on the Bill. I make that public gesture to them all.
On the Bill's passage through to the Third Reading today, we have witnessed the House working at its best. We have seen good constructive debate. I pay tribute especially to the members of the Oposition who considered the Bill in Committee and on Report in a constructive spirit. I am deeply in their debt. It is in that spirit that I commend the Bill to the House.
I wish the Bill well. I trust that the House will give it a Third Reading. I hope that it has the blessing of the House as it continues on its historic path. This is an historic occasion for the zoo industry, the House and hon. Members who have participated.

§ Mr. Graham
On behalf of the Opposition I wanted to say that this was a modest little measure, until I heard the promoter describe it in such glowing terms. However, it is a modest measure. It has been welcomed on both sides of the House and by the industry. We have aided the passage of the Bill by remaining silent today, because many improvements need to be made. To get the Bill through to another place, where those improvements can be made, we give the Bill a warm welcome.

§ Mr. Monro
I join the hon. Member for Edmonton (Mr. Graham) in congratulating my hon. Friend the Member for Dudley, West (Mr. Blackburn) on taking the Bill this far. I hope that colleagues on both sides will give the Bill a Third Reading. It has been expected by the zoo industry for a long time. There have been great consultations with my noble Friend Lord Craigton and many others to bring it to its present stage.
I have emphasised throughout the proceedings—on Second Reading, in Committee and today—that good zoos need not fear the Bill. They should welcome it, because they will be setting a standard to which others must raise their sights, to the advantage of visitors, and to help increase the quality of management of the wildlife in the zoos. That is close to the hearts of all of us who have been discussing the Bill during the last few months. This is a Bill that will work. It will have the co-operation of the local authorities. It will give us a workable licensing system after the initial teething troubles have been resolved. I am confident that the zoo industry in the years 703 to come will thank my hon. Friends the Member for Dudley, West and Lord Craigton for the work that they have done on the Bill and for giving it the opportunity to become law, after its passage through another place.

§ Mr. Stephen Ross
I add my congratulations to the promoter. I am glad to be a sponsor of the Bill. I hope that this will dispel the misrepresentations that have been put about in my constituency in the last two days about the effects of the Bill. Those hurt me greatly. I am glad that the Bill is going through, and I shall see that the words of the Minister and the promoter are published next week in my local newspaper.

§ Mr. Grylls
This has been described by the hon. Member for Edmonton (Mr. Graham) as a modest Bill, but it is more than that. The House should not slide through a Third Reading debate in a few minutes and be happy and content to allow the Bill to go to the Lords not properly finished. For too long we in this House have been able to go on regulating, with the result that there is over-regulation. This has made life very difficult for businesses. I was elected to this House two years ago with the idea of deregulating, to make life easier—

§ Mr. Graham
On a point of order, Mr. Deputy Speaker. Is the hon. Gentleman trying to talk the Bill out?

§ Mr. Grylls
I am making a speech because I think that this matter is important. We should realise that at some time we must stop regulating and putting difficulties in the way of businesses, particularly of smaller businesses—

§ Mr. Graham
Disgraceful!
It being half-past Two o'clock, MR. DEPUTY SPEAKER interrupted the business.

§ Mr. Graham
rose in his place and claimed to move, That the Question be now put.
Question, That the Question be now put, put and agreed to.
Bill accordingly read the Third time and passed.