Duchess of ATHOLLasked the Minister of Agriculture what conditions have to be complied with before horses can be exported from this country; whether his Department inspects each consignment of horses intended to be exported to see whether it complies with any regulations that exist as to the age and conditions of the horses; and whether inspectors also inspect the ships on which the horses are exported in order to see that suitable arrangements are made for their comfort?
§ Dr. ADDISONNotice of the proposed shipment of every consignment of horses to the Continent is required to be given to the veterinary inspector at the intended port of shipment by the shipping company. Each horse is required to be at the place of examination at least one hour before the time fixed for that purpose. During this hour it is under the control of the Ministry's officials or of the police. Each horse intended for shipment has to be examined to see whether it is fit to be conveyed and disembarked without cruelty and to be capable of being worked without suffering, as required by the Act of 1914. For this purpose every condition, including age, is taken into consideration. The answer to the last part of the question is in the affirmative.