§ 8 Clause 12, page 9, line 26, after ("scientific") insert ("or other appropriate").
§ Lord GlenarthurMy Lords, I beg to move that this House do agree with the Commons in their Amendment No. 8. This amendment makes a small but useful change to the provisions dealing with the making of representations following a proposal to refuse a licence or certificate or to vary or revoke a licence or certificate.
During consideration of the Bill in another place, the suggestion was made that this part of the Bill—that is Clause 12(5)—should be widened so that, where appropriate, the Secretary of State should be able to appoint not only someone with scientific qualifications but also someone with animal welfare qualifications. After considering this matter, we came to the view that there was considerable merit in this suggestion but that the change to the Bill could be made even wider so that others with any other relevant qualifications might be 595 appointed, depending upon the circumstances. It seemed to us right to build in the widest measure of flexibility and Amendment No. 8 does that. In drawing up this amendment we followed the advice of the British Veterinary Association. This, again, is a valuable change and I commend the amendment to the House. I beg to move.
Moved, That this House do agree with the Commons in the said amendment—(Lord Glenarthur.)
§ On Question, Motion agreed to.