HL Deb 10 June 1952 vol 177 c9

2.58 p.m.

LORD AMMON

My Lords, I beg to ask the Question which stands in my name on the Order Paper.

[The Question was as follows:

To ask Her Majesty's Government whether their attention has been called to the very heavy toll of death and injury to horses taking part in steeplechasing caused by the unnatural demands made on them in order to clear the obstacles on the course, and whether regulations could be introduced for the purpose of giving the horses taking part a sporting chance of survival and freedom from injury.]

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

My Lords, the answer is in the negative, and there are no statutory provisions under which regulations with regard to this matter could be made.

LORD AMMON

My Lords, may I ask the noble and learned Lord whether he is aware that out of 451 horses that have run in the last ten years only seventy-three have finished?

THE LORD CHANCELLOR

I can only say that that is information of which I was wholly unaware, and I am grateful to the noble Lord for supplying it.