HL Deb 05 April 1978 vol 390 cc163-4

2.47 p.m.

Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBY

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 have now decided to bring auctions and sales of horses within the disciplines of the Diseases of Animals Act 1950.

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, a survey by Government veterinary officers of the conditions under which horses and ponies are being sold in Great Britain gives a preliminary indication that the welfare arrangements on these occasions are generally satisfactory, although in few cases minor shortcomings have been noted. Until the information contained in the survey has been analysed fully and its implications considered, a decision would be premature.

Lord HOUGHTON of SOWERBY

My Lords, may I ask my noble friend why this analysis is taking so long? It is a very long time ago since my noble friend said that the matter was underconsideration. Does he not realise that Red Rum could be boxed up next week, sold at auction in a distant field and shipped to the Middle East without a licence and without a protective veterinary examination? Cannot the galloping horses in the Government get a move on?

Lord STRABOLGI

My Lords, I am really astonished that my noble friend should suggestthat Red Rum could be shipped abroad for horse flesh. As I said in the debate initiated by my noble friend on 15th December, the Government had just then set up this survey and we are now analysing and considering the various findings of it. I may say that of the 132 locations where horses are sold, at only 13 of them were there found to he minor shortcomings.

Lord O'HAGAN

My Lords, will the results of this survey, if not the survey itself, be published?

Lord STRABOLGI

Yes, my Lords; we believe in open government. Moreover, we shall consult with all interested bodies, including, of course, the important animal welfare societies.