§ 7.20 p.m.
§ Order of the Day for the Third Reading read.
1458§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, before I move formally that this Bill be now read a third time there are two points that I should like to raise. Two questions were put to me on Committee stage by the noble Lord, Lord Saltoun, which I was not able to reply to then. The first question can now be answered. A local authority cannot itself cancel a licence granted for boarding animals, but a court can, upon conviction, withdraw a licence or, if it thinks fit, can disqualify the holder from applying for or holding a licence again.
The second point which the noble Lord raised was whether cats and dogs which were being transported for export by British airways or by the British Transport Commission were covered by any legislation if they were suffering unnecessarily. I am informed that the Protection of Animals Act, 1911, affords complete protection for them if proceedings are brought under it. I think that disposes of the two questions put by the noble Lord. It only remains for me to thank Her Majesty's Government and the noble Marquess, Lord Lothian, for the kindness they have afforded me in getting this Bill prepared and to thank the officials of the Home Office for the good work they have done in supplying me with material. I beg to move that the Bill be now read a third time.
§ Moved, That the Bill be now read 3a—(Lord Amulree.)
§ On Question, Bill read 3a, with the Amendments, and passed, and returned to the Commons.