HL Deb 13 February 1967 vol 280 cc1-3

2.35 p.m.

LORD SOMERS

My Lords, I beg leave 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 they will apply, with any necessary modifications, the humane killing regulations to any future slaughter carried out in consequence of outbreaks of foot-and-mouth disease.]

THE PARLIAMENTARY SECRETARY, BOARD OF TRADE (LORD WALSTON)

My Lords, the Slaughter of Animals Act 1958 and the regulations made thereunder apply to slaughter in slaughterhouses and knackers' yards. The principles of this legislation are and will continue to be adhered to in slaughtering in foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks wherever practicable. Slaughtering in foot-and-mouth disease outbreaks is normally carried out by a veterinary surgeon or by licensed slaughter men using the captive bolt pistol. In rare cases where animals cannot be closely approached, an expert marksman using a rifle or free bullet pistol is employed. My right honourable friend has undertaken to make a Statement shortly about slaughtering procedure in the outbreak of foot-and-mouth disease in Northumberland.

LORD SOMERS

My Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for that Answer. While I am perfectly satisfied that in the case of the Northumberland outbreak all possible precautions were taken, might I ask the noble Lord, in view of the correspondence in the Press, whether he would give an official undertaking that precautions against the use of firearms by irresponsible people will be taken in future?

LORD WALSTON

My Lords, I am grateful to the noble Lord for what he has said. I think we should await the Statement to which I have referred, which will be made by my right honourable friend the Minister of Agriculture, before going any further into this matter.

VISCOUNT DILHORNE

My Lords, the noble Lord said that the normal procedure was always followed. Could he say whether the normal procedure was followed in Northumberland?

LORD WALSTON

My Lords, so far as I know, normal procedure was followed in Northumberland, but as allegations have been made that this was not so an inquiry is being carried out, and the result will be communicated to the House and public by the Statement of my right honourable friend.

VISCOUNT DILHORNE

As the noble Lord has referred to the inquiry, can he also explain why it is not a public inquiry?

LORD WALSTON

Because all the facts will be more readily obtainable by having it in the form in which it is being carried out.

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