§ LORD AMULREEMy 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 can confirm the statement made by Mr. David Burgess, a veterinary surgeon (quoted in the Guardian newspaper) that owing to insufficient food in the New Forest many ponies face starvation; and, if that is so, whether they will carry out his recommendation and ensure that for three months each year the Forest is cleared of ponies.]
§ LORD HILTON OF UPTONMy Lords, my information is that this report is in some respects exaggerated. I am told by the New Forest Verderers that the ponies were in unusually poor condition in the spring of this year—following an exceptionally wet winter—but that with few exceptions they are now in generally good condition. It is the regular practice of the Verderers to have an inspection of the animals made in the autumn and to request the removal from the Forest of any which seem unlikely to come through the winter in reasonable condition. The Verderers have given notice to the Commoners' and Pony Breeders Associations that a particularly thorough inspection will be made this year.
§ LORD AMULREEMy Lords, I should like to thank the noble Lord for his most helpful reply. May I ask him whether the Verderers will take particular care to see that the virus diseases which occur in the Forest among ponies that are under-nourished are not allowed to spread? Can he say whether 178 it is the fact that if these diseases occur they begin to spread with great rapidity?
§ LORD HILTON OF UPTONMy Lords, this is one of the reasons for having this special examination of all the animals later this year. I agree with what the noble Lord has said.
§ LORD AMULREEI thank the noble Lord.
THE MARQUESS OF WILLINGDONMy Lords, would the Minister agree with the New Forest Society that there will now be a further profit in the sale of scrub ponies for meat?
§ LORD HILTON OF UPTONMy Lords, that really is another Question. I personally have no knowledge of this; but I know that the noble Marquess is greatly experienced in these matters.